Question 1

A patient has localized muscle spasms after an injury. The prescriber has ordered tizanidine (Zanaflex) to alleviate the spasms. When obtaining the patient's health history, the nurse should be concerned about which of the following as a possible reason for considering another drug?

A) Concomitant use of aspirin
B) A history of hepatitis
C) A history of malignant hyperthermia
D) Occasional use of alcohol

Accepted Answer

Chlorzoxazone is a centrally acting muscle relaxant; however, its hepatic side effects can be severe and life threatening, and its effectiveness is minimal, so the risks of using this agent outweigh the benefits. Analgesic anti-inflammatory drugs are used as part of drug therapy in a patient with muscle spasms caused by localized muscle injury. Metaxalone is a centrally acting muscle relaxant that can be used with caution and with periodic liver function evaluation. Whirlpool baths are useful adjuncts to drug therapy.

Question 2

A nurse is caring for a patient receiving intrathecal baclofen (Lioresal). The patient is unresponsive. After asking a coworker to contact the provider, the nurse anticipates performing which intervention?

A) Preparing to support respirations
B) Administering an antidote to baclofen
C) Administering diazepam to prevent seizures
D) Obtaining an electrocardiogram

Accepted Answer

An overdose of baclofen can produce coma and respiratory depression, so the nurse would be correct to suspect overdose in this patient. Respiratory support is essential to prevent a fatal outcome. There is no antidote for baclofen overdose. Diazepam would not be indicated, because seizures are not a result of baclofen overdose and may further depress respirations. An electrocardiogram is not indicated for this patient.

Question 3

A patient with multiple sclerosis needs pharmacologic treatment for spasticity in order to begin strengthening exercises to improve walking ability. The nurse anticipates that which medication will be ordered for spasticity?

A) Baclofen (Lioresal)
B) Dantrolene (Dantrium)
C) Diazepam (Valium)
D) Metaxalone (Skelaxin)

Baclofen (Lioresal)

Accepted Answer

Baclofen is used to treat spasms associated with multiple sclerosis. It has no direct muscle relaxant effects, so it does not reduce muscle strength. Dantrolene works well to reduce spasms, but it also has significant effects on muscle strength. Diazepam is not the first-line drug of choice, but it could be used because it does not reduce muscle strength. Metaxalone is not indicated to treat spasms caused by multiple sclerosis.

Question 4

Which patient should receive dantrolene (Dantrium) with caution?&#10;A) A 20-year-old woman with a spinal cord injury&#10;B) A 45-year-old man with a history of malignant hyperthermia&#10;C) A 55-year-old woman with multiple sclerosis&#10;D) An 8-year-old child with cerebral palsy

Accepted Answer

Dose-related liver damage is the most serious adverse effect of dantrolene and is most common in women older than 35 years. Dantrolene is used to treat spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and spinal cord injury, so all of these patients would be candidates for this agent. Dantrolene also is used to treat malignant hyperthermia.

Question 5

A patient has localized muscle spasms after an injury. The prescriber has ordered tizanidine (Zanaflex) to alleviate the spasms. When obtaining the patient's health history, the nurse should be concerned about which of the following as a possible reason for considering another drug?

A) Concomitant use of aspirin
B) A history of hepatitis
C) A history of malignant hyperthermia
D) Occasional use of alcohol

Accepted Answer

Hepatotoxicity is a serious potential problem in a patient receiving tizanidine, because the drug can cause liver damage. Baseline liver enzymes should be obtained before dosing and periodically thereafter. Analgesic anti-inflammatory drugs commonly are used in conjunction with centrally acting muscle relaxants, so using aspirin is not a concern. This drug does not contribute to malignant hyperthermia. Patients should be advised to avoid alcohol when taking this drug, but a history of occasional alcohol use is not a contraindication.

Question 6

A nurse is admitting a patient to the hospital. The patient reports taking oral baclofen (Lioresal) but stopped taking the drug the day before admission. The nurse would be correct to anticipate which adverse effects?

A) Weakness and dizziness
B) Fatigue and drowsiness
C) Seizures and hallucinations
D) Respiratory depression and coma

Accepted Answer

Abrupt discontinuation of baclofen is associated with visual hallucinations, paranoid ideation, and seizures. Central nervous system effects of baclofen include weakness, dizziness, fatigue, and drowsiness. Respiratory depression is a result of overdose of baclofen.

Question 7

A patient with cerebral palsy has severe muscle spasticity and muscle weakness. The patient is unable to take anything by mouth. The nurse is correct to anticipate that which medication will be ordered for home therapy?

A) Baclofen (Lioresal)
B) Dantrolene (Dantrium)
C) Diazepam (Valium)
D) Metaxalone (Skelaxin)

Accepted Answer

Baclofen is used to treat muscle spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, and cerebral palsy. It does not reduce muscle strength, so it will not exacerbate this patient's muscle weakness. It can be given intrathecally, via an implantable pump, and therefore is a good choice for patients who cannot take medications by mouth. Dantrolene must be given by mouth or intravenously and so would not be a good option for this patient. It also causes muscle weakness. Diazepam is not the first-line drug of choice. Alternative routes to PO administration are IM, IV, or by rectum. Metaxalone is used to treat localized muscle spasms caused by injury and is not used for cerebral palsy.

Question 8

A nurse is teaching the parent of a child with spastic quadriplegia about intrathecal baclofen (Lioresal). Which statement by the parent indicates a need for further teaching?&#10;A) &#34;I can expect my child to be more drowsy when receiving this medication.&#34;&#10;B) &#34;I should not notice any change in my child's muscle strength.&#34;&#10;C) &#34;I will contact the provider if my child is constipated or cannot urinate.&#34;&#10;D) &#34;If my child has a seizure, I should stop giving the medication immediately.&#34;

Accepted Answer

Seizures may occur if oral baclofen is withdrawn abruptly; seizures are not an adverse effect of baclofen. If intrathecal baclofen is stopped abruptly, patients can experience life-threatening effects, so parents should be advised not to stop the drug abruptly. The central nervous system effects of baclofen include drowsiness and lethargy, so these effects are expected. Baclofen does not reduce muscle strength. It can cause constipation and urinary retention, and patients should be advised to contact their provider so that these conditions can be treated.

Deck 25: Drugs for Muscle Spasm and Spasticity