Prep-U: Benzodiazepine & Skeletal Muscle Relaxants

Signs and symptoms of what would necessitate discontinuation of dantrolene therapy?

Hepatic dysfunction

A client needs further teaching about medication prescribed for muscle spasms and cramping when making which statements?

"I take my medicine with three to four beers each evening."

Which instruction should the nurse specifically stress when administering drugs used for muscle spasm and cramping?

Avoid alcohol or other CNS depressants.

An operating room nurse is assisting the anesthesiologist in the preparation of an intravenous dose of dantrolene. What emergent issue most likely prompted the need to give the patient dantrolene?

Malignant hyperthermia

A 56-year-old woman with a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis has begun taking dantrolene. What patient teaching should the nurse provide?

"Make sure to see your doctor promptly if you develop yellowish skin or eyes."

The nurse is caring for a client who has a disorder of muscle contraction and relaxation. The nurse should prioritize the assessment of what laboratory value?

Calcium

A patient is being treated for intractable muscle spasticity with a peripherally acting spasmolytic. The nurse should anticipate administering which medication?

Dantrolene

General anesthetic has been administered to a surgical client and the client has begun to exhibit signs and symptoms of malignant hyperthermia. The operating room nurse should prepare to assist with the administration of:

Dantrolene

Which medications can be used to treat or prevent malignant hyperthermia?

Dantrolene (Dantrium)

What is the most important teaching point to emphasize from the plan of care when a client is prescribed a skeletal muscle relaxant?

Do not drive or operate machinery until individual drug effects are known.

Which would a nurse include when describing the action of dantrolene?

Interference with calcium release from the muscles

When caring for a client taking dantrolene, for what adverse effects should the nurse monitor the client? Select all that apply.

Jaundice Fatigue Drowsiness

When reviewing the medical record of a client who is to receive dantrolene, which condition would alert the nurse to the need for close monitoring?

The client has respiratory depression from opioid analgesia

The physician orders short-term skeletal muscle relaxants for an 11-year-old client. The nurse is responsible for the family education plan and teaches the parents that the medications should be used only under which condition?

When close supervision is available for monitoring drug effects

Adverse effects of dantrolene (Dantrium) include:

potentially fatal hepatitis.