Before administering succinylcholine for elective intubation, the anaesthetist gives rocuronium 0.06 mg/kg three minutes earlier. The main purpose of this small preceding dose is to:

• A Reduce fasciculations and postoperative myalgia ✓
• B Accelerate the onset of succinylcholine paralysis
• C Prevent anaphylaxis to succinylcholine
• D Shorten the duration of succinylcholine block

Explanation

This is precurarisation or defasciculation, using roughly 10% of the ED95 of a non-depolarising agent to blunt fasciculations and thereby reduce post-succinylcholine myalgia and the transient potassium rise. It does not shorten the block, and it slightly delays and may weaken succinylcholine's onset, which is why the dose must be small. It has no role in preventing anaphylaxis.

Reference: Miller's Anesthesia, 9th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.