Ch. 12 CNS depressants and muscle relaxants

Question 1

barbuturates

Answer 1

class of drugs that are chemical derivatives of barbituric acid. used to induce sedation

Question 2

benzodiazepines

Answer 2

chemical category of drugs most frequently prescribed as anxiolytic drugs and less frequently as sedative-hypnotic agents

Question 3

gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)

Answer 3

primary inhibitory neurotransmitter found in the brain; key compound affected by sedative, anxiolytic, psychotropic and muscle relaxing meds

Question 4

hypnotics

Answer 4

drugs that when given at low - moderate dosages, calm or soothe the CNS w/o inducing sleep, but when given at high dosages cause sleep

Question 5

non-REM sleep

Answer 5

largest portion of sleep cycle; 4 stages and precedes REM sleep; most of a normal sleep cycle consists of non-REM sleep

Question 6

REM sleep

Answer 6

one of the stages of the sleep cycle; some characteristics: rapid movement of eyes, vivid dreams, irregular breathing

Question 7

REM interference

Answer 7

drug-induced reduction of REM sleep time

Question 8

REM rebound

Answer 8

excessive REM sleep following d/c of sleep-altering drug

Question 9

sedatives

Answer 9

drugs that have an inhibitory effect on the CNS to the degree that they reduce nervousness, excitability and irritability w/o causing sleep

Question 10

sedative-hypnotics

Answer 10

drugs that can act in the body either as sedatives or hypnotics

Question 11

sleep

Answer 11

transient, reversible and periodic state of rest in which there is a decrease in physical activity and consciousness

Question 12

sleep architecture

Answer 12

structure of the various elements involved in the sleep cycle, including normal and abnormal patterns of sleep

Question 13

therapeutic index

Answer 13

ratio between the toxic and therapeutic concentrations of a drug

if index is low = difference is small and use of drug is more hazardous