252 Pharmacology - Adrenergic-Blocking Drugs Flashcards
What is acrocyanosis?
Decreased amount of oxygen delivered to the extremities, causing the feet or hands to turn blue.
What are adrenergic receptors?
Specific receptor sites located throughout the body for the endogenous sympathetic neurotransmitters norepinephrine and epinephrine.
What are agonists?
Drugs that bind to and stimulate the activity of one or more receptors in the body.
What are antagonists?
Drugs that bind to and inhibit the activity of one or more receptors in the body; also called inhibitors.
What are dysrhythmias?
Irregular heart rhythms; almost always called arrhythmias in clinical practice.
What is extravasation?
The leaking of fluid from a blood vessel into the surrounding tissues, as in the case of an infiltrated intravenous infusion.
What is intrinsic sympathomimetic activity?
The paradoxical action of some beta-blocking drugs (e.g., acebutolol) that mimics the activity of the sympathetic nervous system.
What is lipophilicity?
The chemical attraction of a substance (e.g., drug molecule) to lipid or fat molecules.
Define orthostatic hypotension.
A common adverse effect of adrenergic-blocking drugs involving a sudden drop in blood pressure when patients change position, especially when rising from a seated or horizontal position.
What is pheochromocytoma?
A vascular adrenal gland tumour that is usually benign but secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine and thus often causes central nervous system stimulation and substantial blood pressure elevation.
What is Raynaud’s disease?
A narrowing of small arteries that limits the amount of blood circulation to the extremities, causing numbness of the nose, fingers, toes, and ears in response to cold temperatures or stress.
What are sympatholytics?
Drugs that inhibit the postganglionic functioning of the sympathetic nervous system.
