Anesthesia Technician Practice Exam

Under what condition can non-depolarizing muscle relaxants be safely used?

1. When patients have muscle disorders

2. In patients with malignant hyperthermia

3. With no history of reaction to anesthetics

4. In elderly patients

The correct answer is: With no history of reaction to anesthetics

Non-depolarizing muscle relaxants can be safely used when there is no history of reaction to anesthetics. This is important because patients with a known history of adverse reactions to certain anesthetics may have sensitivities that could extend to various neuromuscular blocking agents. If a patient has previously experienced reactions during anesthesia, careful consideration is warranted, and alternatives may need to be evaluated to avoid potential complications. In contrast, other conditions listed can pose risks when using non-depolarizing muscle relaxants. For instance, individuals with muscle disorders may have altered neuromuscular function, which could lead to unpredictable responses to these agents. Similarly, malignant hyperthermia is a life-threatening condition triggered by certain anesthetics and agents, necessitating the avoidance of specific muscle relaxants. In elderly patients, while non-depolarizing muscle relaxants can still be used, they may require dose adjustments and careful monitoring due to factors such as altered pharmacokinetics and increased sensitivity to muscle relaxants. Therefore, the safest condition for using these agents is when there is no history of adverse reactions to anesthetics.