CHAPTER 19: ADRENERGIC-BLOCKING DRUGS Flashcards
acrocyanosis
decreased amount of oxygen delivered to the extremities, causing the feet or hands to turn blue
adrenergic receptors
specific receptor sites located throughout the body for the endogenous sympathetic neurotransmitters norepinephrine and epinephrine
agonists
drugs with a specify receptor affinity that mimic the body’s natural chemicals (e.g. hormones, neurotransmitters)
angina
paroxysmal (sudden) chest pan caused by myocardial ischemia
antagonists
drugs that bind to specific receptors and inhibit or block the response of the receptors
dysrhythmias
irregular heart rhythms, almost always called arrhythmias in clinical practice
extravasation
the lacking of fluid from a blood vessel into the surrounding tissues, as in the case of an infiltrated intravenous infusion
first-dose phenomenon
severe and sudden drop in blood pressure after the administration of the first dose of an alpha-adrenergic blocker
intrinsic sympathomimetic activity
the paradoxical action of some beta-blocking drugs (e.g. acebutolol) that mimics the action of the sympathetic nervous system
lipophilicity
the chemical attraction of a substance (e.g. drug molecule) to a lipid or fat molecules
orthostatic hypotension
a sudden drop in blood pressure when a person stands up. Also referred to as postural hypotension or orthostasis
pheochromocytoma
a vascular adrenal gland tumor that is usually benign but secrets epinephrine and norepinephrine and thus after causes CNS stimulation and substantial blood pressure elevation
raynaud’s disease
a narrowing of small arteries that limits the amount of blood circulation to the extremities, causing numbness of the nose, fingers, toes and ears in response to cold temperatures or stress
sympatholytics
drugs that inhibit the postganglionic functioning of the sympathetic nervous system
