Ch. 12 CNS Depressants and Muscle Relaxants
A patient asks the nurse about a new drug advertised on television. The patient wants to know if Ambien would be better for her to use than her current medication, Restoril, for periodic insomnia. The nurse's response is based on knowledge that zolpidem (Ambien)(Select all that apply.) A. is less likely to cause grogginess in the morning. B. is a pregnancy category C medication. C. is contraindicated with asthma. D. should be limited to 7 to 10 days of treatment.
A. is less likely to cause grogginess in the morning. B. is a pregnancy category C medication. D. should be limited to 7 to 10 days of treatment. Zolpidem (Ambien) is a short-acting nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic drug. It is indicated for the short-term treatment of insomnia and should be limited to 7 to 10 days of treatment; it is pregnancy category C. Zolpidem is less likely to produce grogginess in the morning after the medication has been taken when compared with other hypnotic benzodiazepines. It is not currently contraindicated in cases of asthma.
Midazolam (Versed) has been ordered for a patient to be administered by injection 30 minutes prior to a colonoscopy. The nurse informs the patient that one of the most common side effects of this medication is which effect? A. Decreased heart rate B. Amnesia C. Constipation D. Dry mouth
B. Amnesia Versed is known to cause amnesia and anxiolysis as well as sedation and is therefore commonly used prior to certain procedures.
A nurse would monitor older adults who are prescribed a benzodiazepine for treatment of insomnia for which potential side effect? A. Hallucinations B. Ataxia C. Alertness D. Dyspnea
B. Ataxia Benzodiazepine doses for children and the elderly should be small with gradual increases to avoid ataxia and excessive sedation. Thus, these patients should be closely monitored for these adverse effects.
The patient's chart notes the administration of dantrolene (Dantrium) immediately postoperatively. What does the nurse expect the patient has experienced? A. Delirium tremens B. Malignant hyperthermia C. Tonic-clonic seizure D. Respiratory arrest
B. Malignant hyperthermia Dantrolene is a direct-acting musculoskeletal muscle relaxant and is the drug of choice to treat malignant hyperthermia, a complication of generalized anesthesia.
A patient is admitted to the emergency department after taking an overdose of a barbiturate 15 minutes prior to arrival. The nurse can anticipate that which drug will be prescribed? A. naloxone (Narcan) B. activated charcoal C. flumazenil (Romazicon) D. ipecac syrup
B. activated charcoal There is no antidote for barbiturates. The use of activated charcoal absorbs any drug in the gastrointestinal tract, preventing absorption.
During patient teaching, the nurse explains the difference between a sedative and hypnotic with which statement? A. "Sedatives are much stronger than hypnotic drugs and should only be used for short periods of time." B. "Sedative drugs induce sleep, whereas hypnotic drugs induce a state of hypnosis." C. "Most drugs produce sedation at low doses and sleep, the hypnotic effect, at higher doses." D. "There really is no difference; the terms are used interchangeably."
C. "Most drugs produce sedation at low doses and sleep, the hypnotic effect, at higher doses." Many drugs have both sedative and hypnotic properties, with the sedative properties evident at low doses and the hypnotic properties demonstrated at larger doses.
Which nursing diagnosis is appropriate for a patient who has received a sedative-hypnotic drug? A. Ineffective peripheral tissue perfusion B. Fluid volume excess C. Risk for injury D. Risk for infection
C. Risk for injury Sedative-hypnotics cause central nervous system (CNS) depression, putting the patient at risk for injury.
A patient is admitted to the emergency department with a severe overdose of a benzodiazepine. The nurse immediately prepares to administer which antidote from the emergency drug cart? A. naloxone (Narcan) B. naltrexone (ReVia) C. nalmefene (Revex) D. flumazenil (Romazicon)
D. flumazenil (Romazicon) Flumazenil is the antidote for benzodiazepine overdose. The other options are only effective against opioid effects.
