Certified Neuroscience Registered Nurse (CNRN) Practice Exam

What is the primary function of succinylcholine during surgery?

1. Analgesia

2. Muscle relaxation

3. Induction of anesthesia

4. The management of blood pressure

The correct answer is: Muscle relaxation

Succinylcholine is a neuromuscular blocking agent that plays a significant role in facilitating surgical procedures. Its primary function during surgery is to induce muscle relaxation. This is achieved through its action at the neuromuscular junction, where it binds to acetylcholine receptors on the motor end plate, leading to a temporary paralysis of the muscle. As a result, it is particularly useful in procedures that require complete muscle relaxation, such as intubation or surgeries involving the abdominal and thoracic muscles. While analgesia is important for pain management and is typically achieved through other agents, succinylcholine does not provide pain relief. Similarly, while it contributes to the setting of anesthesia, it is not classified as an anesthetic agent itself, which would typically induce loss of consciousness. Furthermore, succinylcholine does not have a role in managing blood pressure during surgery; that function is reserved for other classes of medications, typically those that affect the cardiovascular system directly. Therefore, the correct choice highlights its unique and essential role in muscle relaxation during surgical procedures.