Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Pharmacology > Anticonvulsants > Flashcards

Anticonvulsants Flashcards

1
Q

Define epilepsy.

A

A seizure disorder of sudden discharge of cerebral neurons

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is an episode of neurologic dysfunction, often accompanied by motor activity such as convulsions, and emotional/sensory change called?

A

Seizure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What’s etiology for epilepsy?

A

Majority of patients have idiopathic epilepsy - no known cause

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What are the 2 broad groups of epilepsy?

A
  • Partial epilepsies
  • Generalized epilepsies
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is the most common type of epilepsy?

A

Partial Epilepsy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What are the 2 subtypes of partial epilepsy?

A
  • Simple partial
  • Complex partial
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Define Simple partial epilepsy.

A

Seizures caused by a group of hyperactive neurons confined to a single locus in the brain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Describe some characteristics of simple partial epilepsy.

A
  • Seizure lasts for only a few seconds
  • Individual does not lose consciousness
  • Often exhibits abnormal activity of a single limb or muscle group
  • Can occur at any age
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Define complex partial epilepsy.

A

Seizures exhibit complex sensory hallucinations, mental distortion and loss of consciousness

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What are some characteristics of complex patial epilepsy?

A
  • Aura, seizure lasts for 3-5 minutes
  • Full consciousness is slow to return
  • AKA psychomotor or temporal lobe seizures
  • 80% have initial seizure prior to 20 years of age
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What are the 2 subtypes of generalized epilepsies, and what’s common about generalized epilepsies?

A
  • Tonic-clonic (grand mal)
  • Absence (petit mal)

Consciousness is lost with both types of seizures

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is the most dramatic form of epilepsy?

A

Tonic-clonic (grand mal)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What’s a characteristic of tonic-clonic (grand mal)?

A

After seizure with loss of consciousness, it’s followed by tonic then clonic phases (convulsive twitching)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What do the terms tonic and clonic mean?

A
  • Tonic - producing/restoring normal tone, continuous tension
  • Clonic - contraction/relaxation of muscle
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What’s the major motor activity of tonic-clonic (grand mal) epilepsy?

A

Fall to the floor, tonic rigidity, chronic jerking of face and limbs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is a tonic-clonic seizure followed by?

A

A period of confusion and exhaustion, comatose, headache, drowsiness

17
Q

What is an aura?

A

Brief period of heightened sensory activity prior to the onset of the seizure, characterized by numbness, nausea or unusual sensitivity to light, odor, sound

18
Q

Define absence (petit mal).

A

Seizures involve an abrupt and brief loss of consciousness (10-30 seconds)

19
Q

What are the characteristics of absence (petit mal)?

A
  • Onset occurs at 3-5 years old and lasts until puberty
  • Children
  • No aura, patient stares and has rapid eye-blinking for 3-5 seconds, quickly returns to normal
20
Q

What is status epilepticus?

A

Seizures are continuous or rapidly recurrent, and can be life-threatening

21
Q

What happens when you have a patient that has status epilepticus in your dental office?

A

Give injection of diazepam (Valium)

May also use lorazepam (Ativan) and midazolam (Versed) parenterally

22
Q

What are the goals for the drug therapy for epilepsy?

A
  • To control seizures (frequency)
  • Minimize adverse reactions
23
Q

What is the mechanism of the drug therapy for epilespy?

A

Prevent the spread of abnormal electric discharges in the brain without causing excessive drowsiness

CNS depressents

24
Q

What type of drugs are drugs used to treat epilepsy?

A

CNS depressents - a life long medication

25
Q

What are the dosing considerations of anti-convulsants?

A
  • Narrow therapeutic index - titrate dose carefully, monitor blood levels
  • Most anticonvulsants stimulate liver microsomal enzymes (inducers)
26
Q

What can the metabolism of anticonvulsants do?

A

Saturate liver microsomal enzymes

27
Q

What happens to the elimination kinetics of anticonvulsants?

A
  • At low doses - 1st order elimination
  • After saturation - converts to zero order and blood level increases abruptly
28
Q

What are the common side effects of anticonvulsants?

A
  • CNS depression - impaired learning, tolerance, behavioral alteration, exacerbation of another seizure not being treated
  • CNS depression is additive with other CNS depressents - opioids, alcohol = bad!
  • GI effects - Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
29
Q

What would you prescribe a patient for dental pain if he or she is taking anticonvulsants?

A

NSAIDS - but may be gastric irritants

Pharmacology (25 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions