And Answers SNHU
Q1. Which serious adverse effect requires particular attention
during long-term oral dantrolene therapy?
A) Irreversible hearing loss
B) Hepatotoxicity
C) Severe hyperkalemia
D) Gingival hyperplasia
Correct Answer: B) Hepatotoxicity
Rationale: Dantrolene can cause serious hepatocellular injury, making
hepatic monitoring and recognition of liver-injury symptoms important during
therapy.
Q2. Which patient receiving dantrolene has the greatest recognized
risk for hepatotoxicity?
A) A 19-year-old man with cerebral palsy
B) A 24-year-old woman with spinal cord injury
C) A 55-year-old woman receiving chronic therapy for multiple-sclerosis-
related spasticity
D) A 22-year-old man receiving a brief course
Correct Answer: C) A 55-year-old woman receiving chronic therapy for
multiple-sclerosis-related spasticity
Rationale: Dantrolene-associated hepatic injury has historically been more
frequent in women, patients older than 35 years, and those receiving
prolonged or higher-dose therapy.
Q3. Dantrolene reduces skeletal-muscle contraction primarily by
doing what?
A) Reducing calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum
B) Blocking dopamine receptors
C) Increasing acetylcholine release
D) Inhibiting sodium absorption in the kidney
Correct Answer: A) Reducing calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum
Rationale: Dantrolene acts directly on skeletal muscle by interfering with
excitation-contraction coupling and reducing intracellular calcium availability.
Q4. Which laboratory assessment is particularly relevant during
chronic dantrolene therapy?
A) Serum amylase
B) Thyroid-stimulating hormone
C) INR
, D) Liver-function testing
Correct Answer: D) Liver-function testing
Rationale: Monitoring hepatic function helps detect drug-related liver injury
before severe toxicity progresses.
Q5. Baclofen reduces spasticity primarily through activation of
which receptor?
A) Dopamine D2 receptor
B) GABA-B receptor
C) Muscarinic M3 receptor
D) Beta-2 adrenergic receptor
Correct Answer: B) GABA-B receptor
Rationale: Baclofen is a GABA-B receptor agonist that decreases excitatory
neurotransmission within spinal pathways involved in muscle spasticity.
Q6. Which complication can occur when chronic baclofen therapy is
stopped abruptly?
A) Permanent deafness
B) Severe hypoglycemia
C) Hallucinations, rebound spasticity, or seizures
D) Hyperthyroidism
Correct Answer: C) Hallucinations, rebound spasticity, or seizures
Rationale: Abrupt baclofen withdrawal can produce serious neurologic and
autonomic manifestations, so the dose is generally tapered when therapy is
discontinued.
Q7. Which factor may require reduction of a baclofen dose?
A) Significant renal impairment
B) Mild seasonal allergies
C) Corrective lens use
D) Controlled hyperlipidemia
Correct Answer: A) Significant renal impairment
Rationale: Baclofen is substantially eliminated through the kidneys, so
impaired renal clearance can increase drug exposure and toxicity.
Q8. Which adverse effect is common with centrally acting skeletal-
muscle relaxants such as baclofen?
A) Severe hypertension
B) Persistent hyperactivity
C) Increased alertness
D) Sedation and dizziness
Correct Answer: D) Sedation and dizziness