General anesthetics potentiate the effects of which of the following drugs?
A. Depolarizing agents
B. Skeletal muscle relaxants
C. Volatile liquids
D. Inhalation anesthetics
Correct Answer: B. Skeletal muscle relaxants
The effects of skeletal muscle relaxants are potentiated with the use of general anesthetics. Skeletal muscle relaxants are drugs that are used to relax and reduce tension in muscles. They are more simply referred to as muscle relaxants. Some work in the brain or spinal cord to block or dampen down excessively stimulated nerve pathways.
Option A: Depolarizing agents do not interact with general anesthetics. Depolarizing agents produce their block by binding to and activating the ACh receptor, at first causing muscle contraction, then paralysis. They bind to the receptor and cause depolarization by opening channels just like acetylcholine does.
Option C: Desflurane, isoflurane, and sevoflurane are the most widely used volatile anesthetics today. They are often combined with nitrous oxide. Older, less popular, volatile anesthetics include halothane, enflurane, and methoxyflurane.
Option D: Inhalation anesthetics (nitrous oxide, halothane, isoflurane, desflurane, sevoflurane most commonly used agents in practice today) are used for induction and maintenance of general anesthesia in the operating room. The volatile anesthetics (halothane, isoflurane, desflurane, and sevoflurane) are liquids at room temperature and require the use of vaporizers for inhalational administration.