Anesthesia Technologist Practice Exam

Which of these drugs is NOT classified as a muscle relaxant?

1. Succinylcholine

2. Vecuronium

3. Ketamine

4. Pancuronium

The correct answer is: Ketamine

Ketamine is an anesthetic agent rather than a muscle relaxant. It is primarily classified as a dissociative anesthetic, which means it alters perceptions and produces a trance-like state, providing analgesia and sedation. Its mechanism involves blocking NMDA receptors in the brain, which contributes to its anesthetic properties. In contrast, the other options listed—succinylcholine, vecuronium, and pancuronium—are all muscle relaxants. Succinylcholine is a depolarizing neuromuscular blocker often used for rapid sequence intubation due to its quick onset and short duration of action. Vecuronium and pancuronium are both non-depolarizing neuromuscular blockers that function by blocking the action of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction, leading to muscle paralysis. Their primary role is to facilitate intubation and provide muscle relaxation during surgery.