The student nurse does an operating room rotation and notes that many patients receive succinylcholine (Anectine). The student nurse asks the nursing instructor how the drug works. What is the best response by the nursing instructor?
1. "The patient will rapidly lose consciousness when this drug is administered."
2. "The patient's cardiac muscle will be impacted as well as the respiratory muscles."
3. "The patient will need to be monitored with an electrocardiogram (ECG)."
4. "The patient will need assistance with breathing; it paralyzes respiratory muscles."
Correct Answer: 4
Rationale: Succinylcholine (Anectine) is a neuromuscular blocker that paralyzes muscles, including those of respiration. Neuromuscular blockers only affect skeletal muscles, not cardiac muscle. Neuromuscular blockers do not affect consciousness. Neuromuscular blockers do not affect cardiac muscle; there is no need to monitor the patient with an electrocardiogram (ECG).
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