Nursing Application: Muscle Relaxants

You are caring for a patient hospitalized for muscle spasms associated with multiple sclerosis. Her health care provider is prescribing baclofen for long term use. Based on your knowledge of this medication, which of the following you would consider? (Select all that apply.)

*prepare to administer a test dose as ordered by the health care provider.​ *prepare the patient for an implantable baclofen pump device.​

As the nurse caring for a patient taking cyclobenzaprine, a centrally acting muscle relaxant, you ensure that you teach the patient which of the following in preparation for discharge?

They should see how they do on cyclobenzaprine for a few days before they go back to driving.​

You are the nurse caring for Martha, an 80-year-old patient with arthritis who has started taking cyclobenzaprine. Your nursing assessment pays special attention to​ ________ (Select all that apply.)

*Martha's fall risk. *Martha's sedation level.​

As the nurse caring for Martha the 80-year-old patient with arthritis taking cyclobenzaprine you ensure that you teach her which of the following in preparation for her discharge?​ (Select all that apply.)

*That we should see how she does on cyclobenzaprine for a few days before she goes back to driving.​ *Do not stand up from a seated position too quickly so that you don't get dizzy.​ *She should make sure to not stop taking this medication abruptly.

You are caring for a patient who has been brought to the ER with the following symptoms: hypotension, bradypnea, diminished reflexes, and extreme drowsiness. Her husband discusses her medical history and medication list with the healthcare team. He reports that she has been taking a muscle relaxant prescribed for a chronic musculoskeletal condition. Based on this information and your knowledge of this drug class, you​ ______ (Select all that apply.)

*inquire whether or not she has consumed alcohol recently *inquire whether or not she has been taking any herbal or non-prescription supplements and, if so, which ones

The nurse caring for a patient prescribed a muscle relaxant is aware that, in addition to most of the side effects associated with all CNS Depressants, the assessment of this patient will include 1._____________________.

1. awareness of muscle function, pain, and range of motion

As the nurse caring for a patient taking a muscle relaxant, you are aware of the side effects general to all CNS depressants and those specific to muscle relaxants such as 1.______________________

1. muscle spasticity, pain and stiffness

You are the nurse caring for a patient who has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and is prescribed a centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxant. Based on your knowledge of this drug class and its indications for use, you assess the patient for therapeutic affects such as​ 1.__________________

1. reduction of the rigidity associated with Parkinson's disease.

You are caring for a patient who has come into the ER with complaints of muscle spasms and pain following an injury. He had been discharged yesterday for the same complaint with a prescription for a muscle relaxant. Based on your knowledge of this drug class, you know that 1.____________________

1. the patient has not allowed enough time for the medication to take effect

The nurse caring for a patient prescribed a muscle relaxant is aware that there are two categories, each with a mechanism of action and subsequent nursing implications that are 1._________________.

1. unique to this subclass

You are the nurse caring for Sara, a 34-year-old patient who has come to the ER with complaints of confusion, restlessness and an increase in muscle spasms. In completing her admission history and assessment, you note that included in her medication list is cyclobenzaprine. Aside from this change in neurological status, her physical assessment is within normal limits. Based on this information and your knowledge of this drug class, you suspect that​ ________

Sara stopped taking her cyclobenzaprin abruptly.

You are the nurse caring for a patient taking a muscle relaxant. Although you know that muscle relaxants are used for the treatment of muscle spasms and pain, they are still types of CNS depressants. For this reason, you assess for some of the effects of CNS depressants in which of these situations? ​

Sedative effects such as drowsiness, dizziness if taking cyclobenzaprine​

You are the nurse caring for a patient taking cyclobenzaprine, a centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxant. He asks you why he must not drink alcohol while taking this medication. Your response is that​ ___________

alcohol and this medication both cause CNS depression.

You are the nurse caring for Tammy, a 35-year-old woman who has just arrived at your unit from post-op. She is exhibiting signs of malignant hyperthermia and her health care provider has ordered a direct acting skeletal muscle relaxant for treatment. Based on your knowledge of this type of medication and its indication for this use, you​ _____

prepare to administer dantrolene and monitor her heart rhythm, vital signs, electrolyte levels, and urine output continuously.

You are the nurse caring for a patient taking dantrolene for malignant hyperthermia resulting from a recent surgical procedure. Your assessment of this patient will include areas specific to this drug's mechanism of action and malignant hyperthermia. These areas include

relief of muscle rigidity associated with malignant hyperthermia.​

You are the nurse caring for a patient who is taking cyclobenzaprine following an injury. You are completing discharge teaching with your patient which includes information regarding his medication. You explain to him that ________

sedation is a common side effect.​