Synopsis of Psychiatry Test Bank Related

Review Synopsis of Psychiatry Test Bank related questions and content

The physician has ordered atropine 5 mg intramuscularly (IM) for a patient to be administered 30 minutes prior to ECT. The rationale for use of this medication is that it reduces secretions and:

  • A. Improves the scope of convulsive activity
  • B. Reduces the need for recovery room staff
  • C. Prevents incontinence of bladder and bowel
  • D. Increases the patient's alertness post-procedure.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The rationale for using atropine 5 mg IM prior to ECT is to protect against vagal bradycardia, not to improve the scope of convulsive activity, reduce the need for recovery room staff, or prevent incontinence of bladder and bowel. Atropine is a muscarinic antagonist that blocks the effects of acetylcholine on muscarinic receptors, leading to an increase in heart rate and protection against bradycardia that can occur during ECT.