chpater 11 analgesic drugs - week 5 Flashcards

1
Q

analgesics

A

Medications that relieve pain without causing loss of consciousness
“Painkillers”
Opioid analgesics
Adjuvant analgesic drugs

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2
Q

pain

A

An unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage
A personal and individual experience
Whatever the patient says it is
Exists when the patient says it exists

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3
Q

nociception

A

Pain results from stimulation of sensory nerve fibres called nociceptors.
These receptors transmit pain signals from various body regions to the spinal cord and brain.

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4
Q

pain threshold

A

Level of stimulus needed to produce the perception of pain
A measure of the physiological response of the nervous system

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5
Q

pain tolerance

A

The amount of pain a person can endure without it interfering with normal function
Varies from person to person
Subjective response to pain, not a physiological function
Varies by attitude, personality, environment, culture, ethnicity

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6
Q

classication of pain by onset and duration

A

Acute pain
Sudden onset
Limited, has an end
Persistent pain (chronic pain)
Persistent or recurring
Lasts 3 to 6 months
More difficult to treat
Tolerance

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7
Q

classifications of pain

A

Referred
Neuropathic
Phantom
Cancer
Central
Vascular

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8
Q

gate theroy of pain trasmission

A

Most common and well-described theory
Uses the analogy of a gate to describe how impulses from damaged tissues are sensed in the brain
Many current pain management strategies are aimed at altering this system.

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9
Q

four distinct processess of pain

A

Transduction
Transmission
Perception
Modulation

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10
Q

transduction

A

Transformation of stimuli into electrochemical energy
Release of pain-medicating chemicals
Nociceptors

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11
Q

pain transduction

A

Tissue injury causes the release of the following:
Bradykinin
Histamine
Potassium
Prostaglandins
Serotonin
Substance P
These substances stimulate nerve endings, 
starting the pain process.
The nerve impulses enter the spinal cord 
and travel up to the brain.
The point of spinal cord entry or the “gate” is the dorsal horn.
This gate regulates the flow of sensory impulses to the brain
Closing the gate stops the impulses.
If no impulses are transmitted to higher centres in the brain, there is no pain perception.

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12
Q

pain transmission

A

Two types of nociceptor pain fibres:
Large-diameter, A-delta fibres, and small-diameter
C fibres

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13
Q

pain modularion

A

Neural activity that controls pain transmission to neurons
Both peripheral and central nervous systems
Descending pain system
Enkephalins and endorphins

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14
Q

massage

A

Massaging a painful area often reduces the pain.
Large sensory A nerve fibres inhibit impulse transmission
Close the gate

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15
Q

treatment of pain in spceial situations

A

Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA)
Patient comfort versus fear of drug addiction
Opioid tolerance
Use of placebos
Recognizing patients who are opioid tolerant
Breakthrough pain
Synergistic effects

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16
Q

adjuvant drugs

A

Drugs from chemical categories other than opioids
Assist primary drugs in relieving pain
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Antidepressants
Anticonvulsants
Corticosteroids
Example: adjuvant drugs for neuropathic pain
Amitriptyline (antidepressant)
Gabapentin or pregabalin (anticonvulsants)

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17
Q

WHO - three step analgesic ladder

A

Step 1: Nonopioids with or without adjuvant medications after the pain has been identified and assessed. If pain persists or increases, treatment moves to:
Step 2: Opioids with or without nonopioids and with or without adjuvants. If pain persists or increases, management then rises to:
Step 3: Opioids indicated for moderate to severe pain, administered with or without nonopioids or adjuvant medications

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18
Q

opioid drugs

A

Synthetic drugs that bind to the opiate receptors to relieve pain
Mild agonists: codeine, hydrocodone
Strong agonists: morphine, hydromorphone hydrochloride, oxycodone, meperidine, fentanyl, methadone
Meperidine: not recommended for long-term use because of the accumulation of a neurotoxic metabolite, normeperidine, which can cause seizures.

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19
Q

opioid ceiling effect

A

Drug reaches a maximum analgesic effect.
Analgesia does not improve, even with higher doses.
Codeine phosphate
Pentazocine
Nalbuphine

20
Q

agonists (opioid anagesics) mechanism of action

A

Bind to an opioid pain receptor in the brain
Cause an analgesic response (reduction of pain sensation)

21
Q

agonists-antagonists(opioid anagesics) mechanism of action

A

Bind to a pain receptor
Cause a weaker pain response than full agonists
Also called partial agonists or mixed agonists

22
Q

antagonists(opioid anagesics) mechanism of action

A

Reverse the effects of these drugs on pain receptors
Bind to a pain receptor and exert no response
Also known as competitive antagonists

23
Q

equianalgesia

A

Ability to provide equivalent pain relief by calculating dosages of different drugs or routes of administration that provide comparable analgesia
Examples: morphine, hydromorphone, oxycodone, hydrocodone bitartrate, fentanyl
Continuous release vs. immediate release formulations

24
Q

Opioid Analgesics:
Indications

A

Mainly used to alleviate moderate to severe pain
Often first line agents analgesic in immediate post operative setting
Often given with adjuvant analgesic drugs to assist primary drugs with pain relief
Balanced anaesthesia
Opioids are also used for:
Cough centre suppression
Treatment of diarrhea

25
Opioid Analgesics: 
Contraindications
Known drug allergy Severe asthma Use with extreme caution in patients with the following: Respiratory insufficiency Elevated intracranial pressure Morbid obesity or sleep apnea Paralytic ileus Pregnancy
26
Opioid Analgesics: 
Adverse Effects
Central nervous system (CNS) depression Leads to respiratory depression Most serious adverse effect Nausea, vomiting, constipation, biliary tract spasm Urinary retention Hypotension, palpitations, flushing Itching, rash, wheal formation Pinpoint pupils indicating a possible overdose
27
Opioids: Opioid Tolerance
A common physiological result of chronic opioid treatment State of adaptation Result: larger dose is required to maintain the same level of analgesia
28
Opioids: Physical Dependence
Physiological adaptation of the body to the presence of an opioid Opioid tolerance and physical dependence are expected with long-term opioid treatment and should not be confused with psychological dependence (addiction).
29
Opioids: Psychological Dependence
Addiction: a pattern of compulsive drug use characterized by a continued craving for an opioid and the need to use the opioid for effects other than pain relief
30
Opioid Analgesics: 
Toxicity and Management of Overdose
Naloxone hydrochloride Naltrexone (ReVia®) Regardless of withdrawal symptoms, when a patient experiences severe respiratory depression, an opioid antagonist should be given.
31

Toxicity and Management
 of Overdose

Opioid withdrawal or opioid abstinence syndrome Occur in 2 weeks in opioid-naïve patients Gradual dosage reduction after chronic opioid use
32
Opioid Analgesics: Interactions
Alcohol Antihistamines Barbiturates Benzodiazepines Promethazine Monoamine oxidase inhibitors Others
33
Codeine Sulphate
Codeine sulphate Natural opiate alkaloid (Schedule I) obtained from opium Less effective Ceiling effect More commonly used as an antitussive drug Gastrointestinal (GI) disturbance
34
Codeine Sulphate
Codeine sulphate Natural opiate alkaloid (Schedule I) obtained from opium Less effective Ceiling effect More commonly used as an antitussive drug Gastrointestinal (GI) disturbance
35
Fentanyl
Synthetic opioid (Schedule I) used to treat moderate to severe pain Parenteral injections, transdermal patches (Duragesic Mat®), sublingual effervescent tablet (Fentora®)
36
Dilaudid
Hydromorphone (Dilaudid®): very potent opioid analgesic; Schedule I drug 1 mg of intravenous (IV) or intramuscular (IM) hydromorphone is equivalent to 7 mg of morphine.
37
Methadone Hydrochloride
Synthetic opioid analgesic (Schedule I) Opioid of choice for detoxification treatment of opioid addicts in methadone maintenance programs Renewed interest in the use of methadone for chronic (e.g., neuropathic) and cancer-related pain Prolonged half-life of the drug: cause of unintentional overdoses and deaths Cardiac dysrhythmias
38
Morphine Sulphate
Naturally occurring alkaloid derived from the opium poppy Drug prototype for all opioid drugs; Schedule I controlled substance Indication: severe pain Oral, injectable, and rectal dosage forms; also extended-release forms
39
Naloxone Hydrochloride (Narcan®)
Pure opioid antagonist Drug of choice for the complete or partial reversal of opioid-induced respiratory depression Indicated in cases of suspected acute opioid overdose Failure of the drug to significantly reverse the effects of the presumed opioid overdose indicates that the condition may not be related to opioid overdose.
40
Nonopioid Analgesics:
Acetaminophen (Tylenol®)
Analgesic and antipyretic effects Little to no anti-inflammatory effects Available over the counter (OTC) and in combination products with opioids
41
Acetaminophen: Mechanism 
of Action
Similar to that of salicylates Blocks pain impulses peripherally by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis
42
Acetaminophen: Indications
Mild to moderate pain Fever Inability to take aspirin products
43
Acetaminophen dosage
Maximum daily dose for healthy adults is 4 g/day, but Health Canada is considering lowering* 2 000 mg for older adults and those with liver disease Inadvertent excessive doses may occur when different combination drug products are taken together. Be aware of the acetaminophen content of all medications taken by the patient (OTC and prescription). *Note: As of the date of writing of this text, Health Canada had not yet made this decision.
44
Acetaminophen: Contraindications and Interactions
Should not be taken in the presence of following: Drug allergy Liver dysfunction Possible liver failure G6PD deficiency Dangerous interactions may occur if taken with alcohol or other drugs that are hepatotoxic.
45
Acetaminophen: Toxicity and Managing Overdose
Even though available OTC, lethal when overdosed Overdose, whether intentional or resulting from chronic unintentional misuse, causes hepatic necrosis: hepatotoxicity. Long-term ingestion of large doses also causes nephropathy. Recommended antidote: acetylcysteine regimen
46
Analgesics:
Nursing Implications
Before beginning therapy, perform a thorough history regarding allergies and use of other medications, including alcohol, health history, and medical history. Obtain baseline vital signs, intake and output. Assess for potential contraindications and drug interactions. Perform a thorough pain assessment, including pain intensity and character, onset, location, description, precipitating and relieving factors, type, remedies, and other pain treatments. Level of pain is now considered a “fifth vital sign.” Rate pain on a 0–10 or similar scale. Be sure to medicate patients before the pain becomes severe, so as to provide adequate analgesia and pain control. Pain management includes pharmacological and nonpharmacological approaches; be sure to include other interventions as indicated. Patients should not take other medications or OTC preparations without checking with their physicians. Instruct patients to notify physician about signs of allergic reaction or adverse effects.
47
Opioid Analgesics:
Nursing Implications
Oral forms should be taken with food to minimize gastric upset. Ensure safety measures, such as keeping side rails up, to prevent injury. Withhold dose and contact physician if there is a decline in the patient’s condition or if vital signs are abnormal, especially if respiratory rate is less than 10 breaths/min. Check dosages carefully. Follow proper administration guidelines for IM injections, including site rotation. Follow proper guidelines for IV administration, including dilution, rate of administration, etc.
 Constipation is a common adverse effect and 
may be prevented with adequate fluid and 
fibre intake. Instruct patients to follow directions for administration carefully and to keep a record of their pain experience and response to treatments. Patients should be instructed to change positions slowly to prevent possible orthostatic hypotension. Monitor for adverse effects Contact physician immediately if the patient’s vital signs change, condition declines, or pain continues. Respiratory depression may be manifested by a respiratory rate of less than 10 breaths/min, dyspnea, diminished breath sounds, or shallow breathing. Monitor for therapeutic effects. Decreased perception of pain Decreased severity of pain Increased periods of comfort Improved activities of daily living, appetite, and sense of well-being Decreased fever (acetaminophen)