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P A R T 4
Drugs acting on the central and peripheral nervous systems
C H E C K Y O U R U N D E R S T A N D I N G
Answers to the questions in this chapter can be found in
Appendix A at the back of this book.
MULTIPLE CHOICE
Select the best answer to the following.
1.
A muscle spasm often results from:
a.
damage to the basal ganglia.
b.
central nervous system damage.
c.
injury to the musculoskeletal system.
d.
chemical imbalance within the CNS.
2.
Muscle spasticity is the result of:
a.
direct damage to a muscle cell.
b.
overstretching of a muscle.
c.
tearing of a ligament.
d.
damage to neurons within the CNS.
3.
Signs and symptoms of tetanus, which includes
severe muscle spasm, are best treated with:
a.
baclofen.
b.
diazepam.
c.
orphenadrine.
d.
botulinum toxin A.
4.
The drug of choice for a person experiencing severe
muscle spasms and pain precipitated by anxiety is:
a.
orphenadrine.
b.
baclofen.
c.
diazepam.
d.
botulinum toxin A.
5.
Dantrolene (
Dantrium
) differs from the other
skeletal muscle relaxants because:
a.
it acts in the highest levels of the CNS.
b.
it is used to treat muscle spasms as well as muscle
spasticity.
c.
it cannot be used to treat neuromuscular
disorders.
d.
it acts directly within the skeletal muscle fibre
and not within the CNS.
6.
The use of neuromuscular junction blockers may
sometimes cause a condition known as malignant
hyperthermia. The drug of choice for prevention or
treatment of this condition is:
a.
baclofen.
b.
diazepam.
c.
dantrolene.
d.
orphenadrine.
7.
Dantrolene is associated with potentially fatal
cellular damage. If a person’s condition is being
managed with dantrolene, the person should:
a.
have repeated FBCs during therapy.
b.
have renal function tests done monthly.
c.
be monitored for signs of liver damage and have
liver function tests done regularly.
d.
have a thorough eye examination before and
periodically during therapy.
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
Select all that apply.
1.
Spasmolytics, or centrally acting muscle relaxants,
block the reflexes in the central nervous system that
lead to spasm. While a person is taking one of these
drugs, which of the following interventions should
be implemented?
a.
rest for the affected muscle
b.
heat to the affected area
c.
ice packs to the affected area
d.
use of anti-inflammatory agents
e.
body temperature check every 2 hours to watch
for malignant hyperthermia
f.
positioning to decrease pain and spasm
2.
Muscle relaxants would be used in which of the
following circumstances?
a.
to treat spasticity related to spinal cord injury
b.
to treat spasticity that contributes to locomotion,
upright position or increase in function
c.
to treat spasticity that is related to toxins, such as
tetanus
d.
to treat spasticity that is a result of
neuromuscular degeneration
e.
to reduce the severity of head position associated
with cervical dystonia
f.
to reduce the appearance of frown lines (glabellar
lines)
