Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

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


See full index

Pharmacology 1 > drugs affecting the nervous system > Flashcards

drugs affecting the nervous system Flashcards

1
Q

what is the nervous system?

A

CNS - brain and spinal cord

PNS - nerves

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

what can happen to left over neurotransmitter in the synapse?

A

taken back into cell via reuptake receptors

broken down by enzymes

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

list 5 excitatory neurotransmitters

A 
noradrenaline
dopamine
serotonin (5-HT)
acetylcholine
glutamine
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

name 2 inhibitory neurotransmitters

A

GABA

glycine

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

name 6 drugs that act mainly on the nervous system

A 
anaesthetics
anxiolytic/hypnotic 
neuromuscular blocking
antidepressants
antiparkinsonian
anticonvulsants
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

where do general anaesthetics mainly act?

A

nervous system

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

via what route can anaesthetics be given?

A

inhalation

intravenously

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

why are anaesthetics used?

A 
to promote:
analgesia
unconsciousness
amnesia
loss of reflexes
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

what happens if you have too much anaesthetic?

A

adverse effects or death

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

what 3 things can drugs in the brain do?

A

modify info carried to brain or within brain
alter release of neurotransmitters
open and close ion channels needed for impulse transmission

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

how can drugs act on the CNS?

A

promotes insensitivity which means blood is insensitive to incoming signals - depresses reticular activating system and cerebral cortex

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

are drugs which act on the brain fat soluble? and what does this mean can occur?

A

drugs that act on the brain are usually fat soluble- this means they can cross the blood- brain barrier

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

what happens when membrane receptors in the brain are acted upon by drugs?

A

reduces excitability of neurones

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

what membrane receptor does propofol bind to?

A

GABA receptor

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

what happens if ion channels in the brain are affected by drugs?

A

changes the fluidity of the cell membrane

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

what are the typical side effects of anaesthetics?

A 
nausea/vomiting
breathing shallow/rapid
reduce blood p/CO
reduced kidney profusion
loss of temp control
crosses placenta
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

name some drugs that interact with anaesthetics

A

aspirin

anticoagulants

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

name a drug that should be continued with anaesthetic

A

steroid drugs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

in what conditions should anaesthetics be used with caution?

A

CVD
hypotension
shock

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

name the two phases of anaesthesia and how this is achieved

A

induction - IV (quick/not controllable)

maintenance - inhaled (oxygen needed/facemask)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

describe the 4 stages of anaesthesia

A

stage 1 - analgesia
stage 2 - excitement
stage 3 - surgical anaesthesia - skeletal muscle relaxation/ loss of reflexes
stage 4 - medullary paralysis- loss of respiratory/ vasomotor control

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

name 4 types of general anaesthetic

A

barbiturates (contain bartituric acid)
non - barbiturates
gases
volatile liquids

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

what is nitrous oxide used for?

A

maintaining anaesthesia - not potent enough to induce general anaesthesia
used as analgesia during child birth
can be used in combination with other drugs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

can nitrous oxide damage the foetus in pregnancy?

A

with low level long term exposure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

name 3 inhaled anaesthetics and describe how they work

A

isoflurane - doesn’t depress CV system, relaxes muscles
desflurane - irritates airways and increases secretions
sevoflurane - rapid onset and recovery

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

when using inhaled anaesthetics how is the depth of anaesthesia controlled?

A

by varying the concentration of drug in the vapour

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

what are the side effects of isoflurane, desflurane and sevoflurane

A

CV depression
hypotension
arrhythmias
can reduce CSF pressure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

what is etomidate? and are its pros and cons?

A

etomidate - general anaesthetic
pros - no hangover/ less hypotension
cons - muscle movements/ suppression of adrenocortical function

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

what is ketamine? and what are its pros and cons?

A

ketamine - general anaesthetic
pros - may be used in children / shocked patients
cons - increased HR + BP/ bad dreams or hallucinations on recovery

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

care should be taken when administering general anaesthetics to children, why?

A

risk of bronchospasm and aspiration of fluid

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

name two commonly used intravenous anaesthetics

A

propofol - non barbiturate

thiopental - barbiturate

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

what is propofol? and what are its pros and cons?

A

propofol - intravenous anaesthetic
pros - rapid action / rapid recovery without hangover
cons- convulsions / anaphylaxis / bradycardia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

what is thiopental? what are its pros and cons?

A

thiopental - intravenous anaesthetic
pros - useful for brief procedures (last 5-10mins)
cons - rapid awakening / long lasting sedation (effects present up to 24hrs later)

34
Q

what are benzodiazepines? and what routes can they be given via?

A

anxiolytics/ hyponotics

routes - oral, IV, IM, rectal

35
Q

name three benzodiazepines and suggest some uses

A

midazolam - pre med / can be used for children
temazepam - dental treatment / short acting / little hangover
diazepam (valium) - widely used for anxiety / not for children

36
Q

what are the draw backs of benzodiazepines?

A

no analgesic effect

causes hypotension / constipation

37
Q

name six drugs used in surgery and their uses

A

anxiolytics - calm before surgery
hypnotics - increase reaction time
neuroleptics / anti emetics - induce artificial hibernation
analgesics - pain relief
antihistamines - block histamine
anticholinergics (atropine/ hyoscine) - regulates breathing

38
Q

explain the mechanism of action for anxiolytic drugs

A

end aim - to increase GABA (inhibitory neurotransmitter) in the brain
anxiolytics cause inhibitory neurone to release GABA at synapse - this makes post synaptic neurone less excitable and neurones less easily activated

39
Q

what are the disadvantages of hypnotics?

A

dependence
respiratory depression
benzodiazepines interact with alcohol
cross placenta

40
Q

what patients should not be given hypnotics?

A

patients in shock

41
Q

what are neuromuscular drugs?

A

muscle relaxants

42
Q

how do neuromuscular drugs work?

A

block transmission in motor nerves

43
Q

what do neuromuscular drugs reduce the need for?

A

very deep anaesthesia

44
Q

how do neuromuscular drugs allow insertion of a tracheal tube?

A

relax the vocal cords

45
Q

what is required when using neuromuscular drugs?

A

assisted respiration - as muscle used in breathing relax

46
Q

what are some of the disadvantages of using neuromuscular drugs?

A

prolonged muscle paralysis/ pain

histamine release - bronchospasm etc.

47
Q

name two types of neuromuscular blockers

A 
non-depolarising blockers (ACh antagonists)
depolarising blockers (ACh agonists)
48
Q

explain the mechanism of non-depolarising blockers

A

compete with ACh for nicotinic receptors at NMJ - prevents action potential development in muscle

49
Q

give two examples of non-depolarising blockers

A

atracurium - rapid, short action

pancuronium - longer acting

50
Q

how would the action of non-depolarising blockers be reversed?

A

increasing ACh concentration by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase

51
Q

name a drug that would inhibiting acetylcholinesterase

A

neostigmine

52
Q

explain the action of depolarising blockers

A

mimic ACh but produce sustained depolarisation of muscle - paralysis

53
Q

give an example of a depolarising blocker

A

suxamethonium - short action unless given via drip

54
Q

how is the action of depolarising blockers reversed?

A

metabolised by pseudocholinsterase enzyme present in NMJ

55
Q

1 in 2000 people don’t have pseudocholinsterase enzyme, what would happen in this situation?

A

prolonged paralysis

56
Q

what are narcotic (opioid) analgesics and where do they act?

A

powerful pain kills which act directly on opioid receptors in the CNS (brain)

57
Q

what feeling is often achieved when taking narcotic (opioid) analgesics?

A

euphoria - allows escape from reality

58
Q

give 4 examples of narcotic (opioid) analgesics

A

fentanyl
alfentanil (rapifen)
remifentanil
morphine - post op.

59
Q

what are the disadvantages of using narcotic (opioid) analgesics?

A

nausea/vomiting
reduced breathing rate
risk of addiction

60
Q

what are local anaesthetics used for?

A

analgesia
paralysis
(used mainly in minor surgical procedures)

61
Q

what is the mechanism of action for local anaesthetics?

A

blocks transmission of nerve impulses carrying pain signals from nociceptors to the brain

62
Q

at a cellular level what is the mechanism of action for local anaesthetics?

A

inhibits Na+ entry through v. sensitive Na+ channels - blocks transmission of nerve impulses (depolarisation of cell can not occur)

63
Q

what are the common methods of administration for local anaesthetics?

A

epidural - injection into epidural space (affects nerve roots)
intradermal/ topical - relieves minor irritation/ superficial pain

64
Q

name 5 common used local anaesthetics and when they would be used

A

lidocaine - widely used/ dental surgery/ treats premature ejaculation
priloxaine - mixed with lidocaine for EMLA cream
bupivacaine
ropivacaine
proxymetacaine

65
Q

what are the side effects of local anaesthetics and why might they occur?

A

caused by anaesthetic reaching the brain or heart

  • abnormal heart beat
  • restlessness
  • convulsions
  • cardiac arrest (severe cases)
66
Q

why are vasoconstrictors used in combination with local anaesthetics?

A
  • enhance potency and prolong duration of action - by restricting blood flow to area less anaesthetic is needed
  • increase safety margins (reduce toxicity)
  • reduced blood flow during surgery lessens blood loss
67
Q

name a vasoconstrictor which is commonly used in combination with local anaesthetics

A

adrenaline

68
Q

how do antidepressants work in the nervous system?

A

increase levels of excitatory neurotransmitters in the brain

69
Q

how do antiparkinsonian drugs work in the nervous system?

A

increase levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine

70
Q

how do anticonvulsants work in the nervous system?

A

treat epilepsy by reducing conduction of excitatory nerve impulses and/or increasing GABA activity

71
Q

name three types of antidepressants

A 
tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
72
Q

what is the mechanism of action of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) antidepressants?

A

inhibit re-uptake of NADR (noradrenaline), 5-HT (serotonin) or DA (dopamine) into the presynaptic receptor

73
Q

what is the mechanism of action of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) antidepressants?

A

inhibits enzyme breakdown of 5-HT (serotonin) and NADR (noradrenaline)

74
Q

give three examples of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)

A

imipramine
nortriptyline
doxepin

75
Q

what are the side effects of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)?

A 
dry mouth
blurred vision
constipation
urinary retention
arrhythmias
mental confusion and sedation
76
Q

give 4 examples of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) antidepressants

A

fluoxetine
citalopram
sertraline
paroxetine

77
Q

what are the side effects of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs)?

A 
headache
nausea
dizziness
diarrhoea
convulsions
78
Q

give 2 examples of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) antidepressants

A

phenelzine

tranylcypromine

79
Q

what are the side effects of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) antidepressants?

A

nausea
dizziness
insomnia

80
Q

what do monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) antidepressants interact with?

A

tyramine-containing foods (red wine, cheese, marmite)

81
Q

what is monoamine oxidase?

A

an enzyme which breaks down amine neurotranimitters

82
Q

how does inhibiting monoamine oxidase alter mood?

A

inhibiting the break down of neurotransmitters keeps them in the brain for longer

Pharmacology 1 (11 decks)

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