Chapter 12 Flashcards
Barbiturates
a class of drugs used to induce sedation; chemical derivatives of barbituric acid
benzodiazepines
a chemical category of drugs most frequently prescribed as anxiolytic drugs and less frequently prescribed as sedative-hypnotic agents
gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)
the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter found in the brain. A key compound affected by sedative, anxiolytic, psychotropic, and muscle relaxing medications
hypnotics
drugs that, when given at low to moderate dosages, calm or soothe the central nervous system without inducing sleep but when given at high dosages can cause sleep
non-rapid eye movement sleep
the largest portion of the sleep cycle; it has four stages and precedes REM sleep
rapid eye movement sleep
one of the stages of the sleep cycle. Some of the characteristics of REM sleep are rapid eye movement, vivid dreams, and irregular breathing.
REM interference
a drug-induced reduction of REM sleep time
REM rebound
Excessive REM sleep following discontinuation of a sleep-altering drug
sedatives
drugs that have an inhibitory effect on the CNS to the degree that they reduce nervousness, excitability, and irritability without affecting sleep
sedative-hypnotics
drugs that can act in the body either as sedatives or hypnotics
sleep
a transient, reversible, and periodic state of rest in which there is a decrease in physical activity and consciousness
sleep architecture
the structure of the various elements involved in the sleep cycle, including normal and abnormal patterns of sleep
therapeutic index
thee ratio between the toxic and therapeutic concentrations of a drug. If the index is low, the difference between the therapeutic and toxic drug concentrations is small, and use of the drug is more hazardous
