Pharmacology 7th Edition by Henry Hitner,Barbara Nagle

Exercise 11

Assume that you work in a surgical unit where you coordinate patient medications. For each of the fol­lowing patients, identify a potential drug problem and how it might be avoided.
a. Jeri is about to have a type of orthopedic surgery that requires a muscle relaxant for best results. Jeri's medical history indicates that she has asthma but is otherwise in good health.
b. Linda is scheduled for surgery on her back. Her surgeon is planning to give her succinylcholine to relax her muscles during the procedure. As far as the surgeon is aware, Linda is in great health other than the vertebrae that require surgery. Linda has confided in you, however, that she has bulimia, which you know can lead to electrolyte imbalance.
c. Susan has knee surgery scheduled. A note on her chart indicates that she will be given succinylcho­line during the operation to relax the muscles in her leg. Her chart also indicates that she takes digi­talis for a heart problem.