Drugs And The Nervous System

Question 0

Which neurotransmitters are excitatory?

Answer 0

Noradrenaline
Acetylcholine
Dopamine
Serotonin
Glutamine

Question 0

Give an example of a muscle relaxant, and explain how it works

Answer 0

Atracurium/Paracuronium

Works by competing with acetylcholine for the nicotinic receptors at the neuromuscular junction

This prevents action potential development in the muscle and therefore prevents muscle contraction

Question 1

Which neurotransmitters are inhibitory?

Answer 1

GABA and Glycine

Question 2

Give an example of a local anaesthetic, and explain how it works

Answer 2

Lidocaine/Prilocaine

Works by inhibiting the entry of sodium through the voltage-gated channels, which blocks the transmission of nerve impulses from the nociceptors to the brain

Question 3

Give an example of an anxiolytic, and explain how it works

Answer 3

Benzodiazepines: Midazolam/Diazepam

Work by increasing the amount of GABA in the brain, which makes the post synaptic cells less excitable

Question 4

What are the stages of anaesthesia?

Answer 4

1. Analgesia
2. Excitement
3. Surgical anaesthesia
4. Medullary paralysis

Question 5

What are the disadvantages of benzodiazepines?

Answer 5

They can cause dependence

They can cross the placenta

They interact with alcohol

Question 6

What are the side effects associated with neuromuscular blockers?

Answer 6

Prolonged muscle paralysis or pain

Bronchospasm

Question 7

Give an example of an opioid analgesic

Answer 7

Morphine
Fentanyl
Alfentanil
Remifentanil

Question 8

What are the side effects associated with opioid analgesics?

Answer 8

Nausea/vomiting
Reduced breathing rate

Small risk of addiction

Question 9

In what ways are local anaesthetics most commonly administered?

Answer 9

Epidural
Intradermal
Topical

Question 10

What are the side effects associated with local anaesthetics?

Answer 10

Abnormal heart rate, restlessness, convulsions.

In severe cases cardio respiratory arrest