Which of the following is a common side effect of succinylcholine?

Study for the Respiratory Therapy Pharmacology Test. Excel with flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question offers hints and explanations. Prepare thoroughly for your exam!

Succinylcholine is a depolarizing neuromuscular blocker commonly used in anesthesia to induce paralysis for intubation. A well-known side effect of succinylcholine is fasciculations, which are brief, involuntary muscle contractions that occur due to the initial stimulation of the nicotinic receptors at the neuromuscular junction before the muscle is paralysis achieved. These fasciculations can be observed in various muscle groups and are typically the body's response to the drug’s action on the motor end plate, leading to transient muscle contractions before the muscle relaxes.

The other options present side effects that are not directly linked to succinylcholine’s primary action mode. For instance, hypertension may occur in some situations with different medications but is not a typical response to succinylcholine. Muscle rigidity can relate to other neuromuscular blockers but is not a common consequence of succinylcholine use. Nausea, while a potential side effect for some medications, is not specifically associated with succinylcholine and more commonly occurs as a result of anesthesia or other agents rather than due to succinylcholine's paralytic effects.

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