Chapter 12: Central Nervous System Depressants and Muscle Relaxants Flashcards
A patient has been taking phenobarbital for 2 weeks as part of his therapy for epilepsy. He tells the nurse that he feels tense and that “the least little thing” bothers him now. Which is the correct explanation for this problem?
This drug causes deprivation of REM sleep and may cause the inability to deal with normal stress.
Barbiturates such as phenobarbital deprive people of REM sleep, which can result in agitation and the inability to deal with normal stress. A rebound phenomenon occurs when the drug is stopped (not during therapy), and the proportion of REM sleep increases, sometimes resulting in nightmares.
A patient who has received some traumatic news is panicking and asks for some medication to help settle down. The nurse anticipates giving which drug that is most appropriate for this situation?
Diazepam (Valium)
Benzodiazepines such as diazepam are used as anxiolytics, or sedatives
A patient has been taking temazepam (Restoril) for intermittent insomnia. She calls the nurse to say that when she takes it, she sleeps well, but the next day she feels “so tired.” Which explanation by the nurse is correct?
“These drugs affect the sleep cycle, resulting in daytime sleepiness.”
Benzodiazepines suppress REM sleep to a degree (although not as much as barbiturates) and, thus, result in daytime sleepiness (a hangover effect).
A patient is recovering from a minor automobile accident that occurred 1 week ago. He is taking cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) for muscular pain and goes to physical therapy three times a week. Which nursing diagnosis would be appropriate for him?
Risk for injury related to decreased sensorium
Musculoskeletal relaxants have a depressant effect on the CNS; thus, the patient needs to be taught the importance of taking measures to minimize self-injury and falls related to decreased sensorium.
Ramelteon (Rozerem) is prescribed for a patient with insomnia. The nurse checks the patient’s medical history, knowing that this medication is contraindicated in which disorder?
Liver disease
Ramelteon is contraindicated in cases of severe liver dysfunction
The nurse notes in the patient’s medication history that the patient is taking cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril). Based on this finding, the nurse interprets that the patient has which disorder?
A musculoskeletal injury
Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) is the muscle relaxant most commonly used to reduce spasms following musculoskeletal injuries.
A patient has experienced insomnia for months, and the physician has prescribed a medication to help with this problem. The nurse expects which drug to be used for long-term treatment of insomnia?
Eszopiclone (Lunesta), a nonbenzodiazepine sleep aid
Eszopiclone (Lunesta) is one of the newest prescription hypnotics to be approved for long-term use in treatment of insomnia.
