Question

Which of the following statement is TRUE when monitoring neuromuscular blockade on a twitch monitor?

A) Nondepolarizing agents are monitored by placing the twitch monitor on the facial nerve only, while depolarizing agents are monitored by placing the twitch monitor on the ulnar nerve only.
B) Nondepolarizing agents demonstrate a response called "fade" where the twitch response decreases with repetitive nerve stimulation.
C) Depolarizing agents always cause "fade."
D) Neuromuscular blockade caused by nondepolarizing agents cannot be monitored with a nerve stimulator.
E) None of the above.

Answer 1

B) Nondepolarizing agents demonstrate a response called "fade" where the twitch response decreases with repetitive nerve stimulation.

The true statement is that nondepolarizing agents show a 'fade' during neuromuscular blockade monitoring with a twitch monitor.

Step-by-step explanation:

The true statement when monitoring neuromuscular blockade on a twitch monitor is: Nondepolarizing agents demonstrate a response called "fade" where the twitch response decreases with repetitive nerve stimulation. This is seen when a nerve stimulator is used to deliver a series of electrical impulses; the muscular response weakens with continued stimulation. This occurs because nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents act as competitive antagonists to acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction, leading to a characteristic fade in the strength of muscle contraction.