ALS Medication Actions Flashcards
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
• 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
Albuterol Action
- Relaxes bronchial smooth muscles by stimulating beta-2 adrenergic receptors.
- Produces bronchodilation, relieves bronchospasm, and reduces airway resistance.
Glucagon Action
- Increases blood glucose by converting glycogen stores in the liver to glucose
- Inhibits synthesis of glycogen from glucose
Atrovent Action
- Antagonizes the action of acetylcholine, preventing the interaction of acetylcholine with muscarinic receptors in bronchial smooth muscles causing bronchodilation
- Dries respiratory tract secretions
Dopamine Action
- 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.
Ondansetron (Zofran) Action
• Blocks serotonin receptors in vagus nerve terminals and in small intestine that trigger the vomiting reflex
Dextrose Action
• increases blood glucose by providing a quick release of free sugar into the circulation
Calcium Chloride Action
- Increases myocardial contractility
- Enhances Ventricular Automaticity
- Reverses cardio-electric changes produced by hyperkalemia
- Shifts potassium back into cells prevent intravascular hyperkalemia
Atropine Action
- 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.
Naloxone (Narcan) Action
• reverses respiratory depression, sedation and hypotensive effects of opioid overdose by occupying opiate receptor sites
Adenosine Action
• Slows electrical conduction through AV node, and interrupts re-entry pathway, converting SVT to normal sinus rhythm
Fentanyl Action
• Potent narcotic analgesic and sedative
Midazolam (Versed) Action
- CNS Depressant
- Produces anterograde Amnesia then sedation
- Stops and prevents seizures
Lidocaine jelly Action
- Prohibits the initiation and conduction of impulses thereby effecting local anesthetic action
- Decreases irritation when airway tube is inserted thereby decreasing intracranial pressure
Acetaminophen Action
- Inhibits the synthesis of prostaglandins which transmit pain signals and induce fever.
- Reduces pain by blocking the signals produced by prostaglandins
Amiodarone Action
- 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).
Lidocaine Action
- Depresses depolarization and automaticity in the ventricles
- Increases the ventricular fibrillation threshold by increasing phase IV re-polarization
- Amide-type local anesthetic
Ketamine Action
- 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
Sodium Bicarbonate Action
• Reduces acidosis or causes alkalosis by direct release of bicarbonate ion into the circulation
Morphine Action
- CNS Depressant acting on opiate receptors in the brain
* Potent Analgesic and sedative
Epinephrine Action
• 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
Normal Saline Action
• 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)
Aspirin Action
- 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
Activated Charcoal Action
- Binds and absorbs ingested toxins present in the GI tract
* Inhibits intestinal absorption, preventing systemic toxicity
Nitroglycerine Action
- Produces vasodilation by relaxing systemic venous & arterial vessels, thereby:
- Decreasing preload & afterload
- Decreasing myocardial workload
- Decreasing myocardial Oxygen consumption
- Dilates coronary arteries
