Author Question: Which patient should receive dantrolene (Dantrium) with caution? a. A 20-year-old woman with a ... (Read 93 times)

Starlight · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

Which patient should receive dantrolene (Dantrium) with caution?

a. A 20-year-old woman with a spinal cord injury
b. A 45-year-old man with a history of malignant hyperthermia
c. A 55-year-old woman with multiple sclerosis
d. An 8-year-old child with cerebral palsy

Question 2

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?

a. I can expect my child to be more drowsy when receiving this medication.
b. I should not notice any change in my child's muscle strength.
c. I will contact the provider if my child is constipated or cannot urinate.
d. If my child has a seizure, I should stop giving the medication immediately.

chinwesucks · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
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.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
Seizures may occur if oral baclofen is withdrawn abruptly; seizures are not an adverse effect of baclofen.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.