Which class of cholinergic antagonists is typically used as muscle relaxants during surgery?

The correct answer is neuromuscular blockers, as this class of cholinergic antagonists is specifically designed to induce muscle relaxation during surgical procedures. Neuromuscular blockers work by interfering with the transmission of nerve impulses to skeletal muscles at the neuromuscular junction, effectively leading to paralysis of those muscles. This property is critical in surgical settings where muscle relaxation is necessary for optimal conditions, allowing surgeons to perform invasive procedures without involuntary muscle movements.

In contrast, antimuscarinic agents primarily block the effects of acetylcholine at muscarinic receptors, impacting the parasympathetic nervous system and not directly causing muscle relaxation in skeletal muscle. Skeletal muscle stimulants are not used for relaxation but rather for enhancing muscle contraction. Alpha-blockers primarily affect adrenergic receptors and are involved in the management of conditions related to the sympathetic nervous system, such as hypertension, but do not play a role in causing muscle relaxation during surgery.