A patient receives a neuromuscular blocking agent as an adjunct to inhalation anesthesia. When caring for this patient, it is important for the nurse to remember that neuromuscular blocking agents:
Prevent contraction of the diaphragm
Cause vagal slowing of the heart
Increase the depth of unconsciousness
Increase the required dose of inhalation anesthetics
The Correct Answer is A
A. Neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) act at the neuromuscular junction to prevent acetylcholine from stimulating muscle contraction. This leads to paralysis of skeletal muscles, including the diaphragm and intercostal muscles, which are critical for breathing. Because these patients cannot breathe independently, mechanical ventilation is required when NMBAs are used.
B. While some NMBAs can have minor cardiovascular effects, their primary action is muscle paralysis, not slowing of the heart via vagal stimulation. Bradycardia may occur with certain agents like succinylcholine, but this is not the general principle for all NMBAs.
C. NMBAs do not produce unconsciousness or analgesia. They are purely paralytic agents. The patient remains aware unless adequate anesthesia is also provided with inhalation or IV agents.
D. NMBAs do not increase the required dose of inhalation anesthetics. In fact, using NMBAs may allow the anesthesiologist to reduce inhalation anesthetic doses slightly, since muscle relaxation is provided pharmacologically rather than relying solely on deep anesthesia.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. While inhalation anesthetics can produce muscle relaxation and unconsciousness, balanced anesthesia is not limited to a single inhalation agent; it refers to a combination of drugs used to achieve multiple anesthetic goals.
B. Brief induction and rapid emergence describe ultra-short-acting anesthetics, not the concept of balanced anesthesia. Balanced anesthesia focuses on using multiple agents for complementary effects, rather than speed of onset or recovery.
C. Balanced anesthesiais an approach that combines different classes of anesthetic drugs—such as inhalation anesthetics, intravenous agents, opioids, and muscle relaxants—to achieve the desired anesthetic effects: unconsciousness, analgesia, muscle relaxation, and suppression of reflexes. This method allows for smaller doses of each drug, reducing adverse effects while maintaining effective anesthesia.
D. While minimizing respiratory side effects is desirable, balanced anesthesia is not defined by a single goal like analgesia or respiratory safety. It is defined by the strategic use of multiple drugs to produce all necessary components of anesthesia safely and effectively.
Correct Answer is ["50"]
Explanation
Step 1: Use the formula
Flow rate (gtt/min) = (mL/hr × Drop factor) ÷ 60
Step 2: Insert values
Flow rate = (150 × 20) ÷ 60
Step 3: Calculate
Flow rate = 3,000 ÷ 60
Flow rate = 50 gtt/min
Step 4: Round to nearest whole number
50 → 50 gtt/min
Final Answer: 50 gtt/min
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.