A patient with cerebral palsy has severe muscle spasticity and muscle weakness. The patient is unable to take anything by mouth. The nurse is correct to anticipate that which medication will be ordered for home therapy?
a. Baclofen (Lioresal)
b. Dantrolene (Dantrium)
c. Diazepam (Valium)
d. Metaxalone (Skelaxin)
ANS: A
Baclofen is used to treat muscle spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, and cerebral palsy. It does not reduce muscle strength, so it will not exacerbate this patient's muscle weakness. It can be given intrathecally, via an implantable pump, and therefore is a good choice for patients who cannot take medications by mouth. Dantrolene must be given by mouth or intravenously and so would not be a good option for this patient. It also causes muscle weakness. Diazepam is not the first-line drug of choice. Alternative routes to PO administration are IM, IV, or by rectum. Metaxalone is used to treat localized muscle spasms caused by injury and is not used for cerebral palsy.
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