American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Study for the ABIM Certification Exam. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions, with hints and explanations for each. Get ready to succeed!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

What is the purpose of administering anticholinergic agents to patients with multiple sclerosis?

Decrease respiratory rate
Reduce intensity and frequency of bladder spasms
Increase muscle strength
Manage pain

The correct answer is: Reduce intensity and frequency of bladder spasms

Administering anticholinergic agents to patients with multiple sclerosis is primarily aimed at reducing the intensity and frequency of bladder spasms. Multiple sclerosis can lead to various urologic complications, including neurogenic bladder, characterized by hyperactivity of the detrusor muscle. This results in symptoms like urgency, frequency, and incontinence. Anticholinergic agents work by blocking the action of acetylcholine at muscarinic receptors in the bladder, which reduces involuntary contractions and helps to manage these symptoms effectively. The other options do not align with the primary use of anticholinergic medications. Anticholinergics are not typically used to decrease respiratory rate, enhance muscle strength, or directly manage pain associated with multiple sclerosis.