ALS Medication Actions

Question 1

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)

Answer 1

• Binds to histamine receptor sites, Blocking H1 and H2 receptors

• H1 causes Bronchoconstriction, Airway swelling and vasodilation
• H2 causes secretion of gastric acid

• Does not prevent histamine release

Question 2

Albuterol Action

Answer 2

• Relaxes bronchial smooth muscles by stimulating beta-2 adrenergic receptors.
• Produces bronchodilation, relieves bronchospasm, and reduces airway resistance.

Question 3

Glucagon Action

Answer 3

• Increases blood glucose by converting glycogen stores in the liver to glucose
• Inhibits synthesis of glycogen from glucose

Question 4

Atrovent Action

Answer 4

• Antagonizes the action of acetylcholine, preventing the interaction of acetylcholine with muscarinic receptors in bronchial smooth muscles causing bronchodilation
• Dries respiratory tract secretions

Question 5

Dopamine Action

Answer 5

• At low and medium doses, Selectively dilates blood vessels supplying the brain, kidneys, heart and GI tract.
• At medium to high doses, Increases cardiac output by improving contractility and stroke volume, thereby increasing blood pressure.
• At high doses, causes vasoconstriction and increased heart rate.

Question 6

Ondansetron (Zofran) Action

Answer 6

• Blocks serotonin receptors in vagus nerve terminals and in small intestine that trigger the vomiting reflex

Question 7

Dextrose Action

Answer 7

• increases blood glucose by providing a quick release of free sugar into the circulation

Question 8

Calcium Chloride Action

Answer 8

• Increases myocardial contractility
• Enhances Ventricular Automaticity
• Reverses cardio-electric changes produced by hyperkalemia
• Shifts potassium back into cells prevent intravascular hyperkalemia

Question 9

Atropine Action

Answer 9

• Competes with acetylcholine for receptor sites blocking the PNS response at SA and AV nodes.
• Incresses heart rate by increasing electrical conduction through the heart.
• Positive chronotropic properties with little or no inotropic effects.
• inhibits secretions by decreasing PNS effects on bronchial, Salivary, Sweat, and GI glands.

Question 10

Naloxone (Narcan) Action

Answer 10

• reverses respiratory depression, sedation and hypotensive effects of opioid overdose by occupying opiate receptor sites

Question 11

Adenosine Action

Answer 11

• Slows electrical conduction through AV node, and interrupts re-entry pathway, converting SVT to normal sinus rhythm

Question 12

Fentanyl Action

Answer 12

• Potent narcotic analgesic and sedative

Question 13

Midazolam (Versed) Action

Answer 13

• CNS Depressant
• Produces anterograde Amnesia then sedation
• Stops and prevents seizures

Question 14

Lidocaine jelly Action

Answer 14

• Prohibits the initiation and conduction of impulses thereby effecting local anesthetic action
• Decreases irritation when airway tube is inserted thereby decreasing intracranial pressure

Question 15

Acetaminophen Action

Answer 15

• Inhibits the synthesis of prostaglandins which transmit pain signals and induce fever.
• Reduces pain by blocking the signals produced by prostaglandins

Question 16

Amiodarone Action

Answer 16

• Blocks sodium, potassium and calcium channels in cardiac cells slowing conduction and prolongs repolarization.
• Has alpha and beta adrenergic blocking properties causing negative inotropic effects and reduces peripheral vascular resistance(afterload).

Question 17

Lidocaine Action

Answer 17

• Depresses depolarization and automaticity in the ventricles
• Increases the ventricular fibrillation threshold by increasing phase IV re-polarization
• Amide-type local anesthetic

Question 18

Ketamine Action

Answer 18

• Low & slow dosing provides strong analgesic effects acting on the limbic system and cortex to block afferent transmission of impulses associated with pain perception
• High & rapid dosing provides fast acting dissociative anesthesia (blocks sensory perception) which can lead to distortion of sights, colors, sounds, self, and one’s environment

Question 19

Sodium Bicarbonate Action

Answer 19

• Reduces acidosis or causes alkalosis by direct release of bicarbonate ion into the circulation

Question 20

Morphine Action

Answer 20

• CNS Depressant acting on opiate receptors in the brain

* Potent Analgesic and sedative

Question 21

Epinephrine Action

Answer 21

• On the Bronchi: bronchodilation (Beta-2)
• On the peripheral vasculature: vasoconstriction (Alpha)
• On the heart:
-Increased heart rate (Beta-1) / chronotropic
-Increased contractility / Inotropic
-Increased AV conduction/ dromotropic
-Increased automaticity / dromotropic

Question 22

Normal Saline Action

Answer 22

• Electrolyte solution, which is osmotically equivalent to blood
• Increases the circulating volume of the vascular system
(2/3 of infused volume leaves vascular space within 1 hour)

Question 23

Aspirin Action

Answer 23

• inhibits normal tendency for platelets to accumulate inside injured or occluded coronary arteries, thereby improving blood flow through vessels to better perfuse the heart.
• Blocks formation of Thromboxin A2

Question 24

Activated Charcoal Action

Answer 24

• Binds and absorbs ingested toxins present in the GI tract

* Inhibits intestinal absorption, preventing systemic toxicity

Question 25

Nitroglycerine Action

Answer 25

• Produces vasodilation by relaxing systemic venous & arterial vessels, thereby:
• Decreasing preload & afterload
• Decreasing myocardial workload
• Decreasing myocardial Oxygen consumption
• Dilates coronary arteries