ANS Medications

Question 1

what is Myasthenia Gravis?

Answer 1

Disease of reduced receptors for acetylcholine resulting in muscle weakness

Question 2

medications to treat MG

Answer 2

cholinesterase inhibitors (edrophonium, pyridostigmine, neostigmine)

Question 3

what medication is used to diagnose MG?

Answer 3

edrophonium

Question 4

drug of choice for cholinergic crisis

Answer 4

atropine

Question 5

what are the direct catecholamine medications?

Answer 5

epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine

Question 6

what is epinephrine used for?

Answer 6

cardiopulmonary arrest, anaphylactic shock,
acute allergic reaction, acute asthma attack

Question 7

what is norepinephrine used for?

Answer 7

severe hypotension

Question 8

what is dopamine used for?

Answer 8

renal artery dilation to increase kidney perfusion and urine output; improve cardiac output and blood pressure; vasoconstriction and negative impact on cardiac function (too much afterload and vascular resistance).

Question 9

how do direct catecholamine medications relate to the sympathetic nervous system?

Answer 9

they mimic the SNS

Question 10

what are the common side effects of any cholinergic medication?

Answer 10

Salivation (drooling)
Lacrimation (tearing)
Urinary frequency and incontinence
Defecation/Diarrhea; Diaphoresis (remember sweat glands are cholinergic)
Gastrointestinal cramps & abdominal pain
Emesis
Miosis
bradycardia

Question 11

what are the common side effects of any anticholinergic medication?

Answer 11

dry mouth, tachycardia, decrease GI and GU function

Question 12

45. If a client experiences a cholinergic crisis (for any reason) what is the drug of choice?

Answer 12

Antidote: Atropine!

Question 13

46. What are direct catecholamine medications? Give examples and what they are used for.

Answer 13

• Epinephrine: cardiopulmonary arrest, anaphylactic shock, acute allergic reaction, acute asthma attack. May be added to local anesthetics to prolong activity
• Norepinephrine: severe hypotension
• Dopamine: used to maintain or control blood pressure, and improves perfusion of kidneys to improve urinary output

Question 14

47. How do these medication relate to the sympathetic nervous system?

Answer 14

They mimic the effect of the sympathetic nervous system (the “fight or flight”) and are adrenergic

Question 15

48. What are the common side effects of any cholinergic medications?

Answer 15

“SLUDGEM”, plus bradycardia, hypotension

– Salivation (drooling)
– Lacrimation (tearing)
– Urinary frequency and incontinence
– Defecation/Diarrhea; Diaphoresis (remember sweat glands are cholinergic)
– Gastrointestinal cramps & abdominal pain
– Emesis
– Miosis

Question 16

49. What are the common side effects of any anticholinergic medication?

Answer 16

(looks like SNS or OPPOSITE of cholinergic)

– Dry mouth
– Tachycardia
– Decreased GI & GU function