Question

A nurse is caring for a client who is undergoing electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and will receive succinylcholine. The client asks the nurse about this medication. Which of the following responses should the nurse take?

A. Succinylcholine is a medication that helps prevent muscle movements during the ECT procedure.
B. Succinylcholine helps reduce the side effects of ECT on cognitive function.
C. Succinylcholine is a sedative used to relax patients before ECT.
D. Succinylcholine helps minimize seizures during ECT.

Answer 1

Succinylcholine is a medication used during ECT to prevent muscle movements by causing temporary muscle paralysis.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct response to the client undergoing electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) about the medication succinylcholine is: Succinylcholine is a medication that helps prevent muscle movements during the ECT procedure. Succinylcholine works by acting on the neuromuscular junction, leading to muscle paralysis. This is important during ECT to prevent injury that could be caused by severe muscle contractions during a seizure. Succinylcholine achieves this by mimicking acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction but not being degraded as quickly, which results in prolonged muscle relaxation. This action helps maintain patient safety while the therapeutic seizure is induced by ECT.