Drugs for Neurologic Disorders

Question 1

drugs used for epileptic seizures; “antiepileptic drugs (AEDs)”

Answer 1

Anticonvulsants

Question 2

seizure characterized by sustained muscle contraction

Answer 2

Tonic Seizure

Question 3

seizure characterized by dysrythmic muscle contraction

Answer 3

Clonic Seizure

Question 4

a diagnostic test used to diagnose epilepsy; records abnormal electric discharges of the cerebral cortex

Answer 4

electroencephalogram (EEG)

Question 5

overgrowth of the gum tissues or reddened gums that bleed easily

Answer 5

gingival hyperplasia

Question 6

the most common form of seizure in which the muscles contract or tighten in a spasm lasting 3-5 seconds then start dysrythmic contractions or jerkiness of limbs for 2-4 minutes

Answer 6

Grand Mal Seizure

Question 7

a rapid succession of epileptic seizures

Answer 7

Status Epilepticus

Question 8

brief loss of consciousness lasting less than 10 seconds with fewer than 3 spikes on the EEG ; usually occurs in children

Answer 8

Petit Mal Seizure

Question 9

medication used to treat Alzheimer’s disease symptoms: tacrine, donezepril, rivastigmine, & galantamine

Answer 9

Acetylcholinesterase (AChe) Inhibitor

Question 10

slow movement

Answer 10

Bradykinesia

Question 11

drugs that stimulate dopamine receptors

Answer 11

Dopamine Agonists

Question 12

impaired voluntary movement

Answer 12

Dyskinesia

Question 13

involuntary abnormal movement

Answer 13

Dystonic Movement

Question 14

disease marked by involuntary tremors of the limbs, rigidity of the muscles & slowness of movement; gradual onset generally affecting persons over 50 years of age

Answer 14

Parkinsonism

Question 15

disease frequently occurring as an adverse reaction to antipsychotic drugs mimicking parkinsonism

Answer 15

Pseudoparkinsonism

Question 16

acute exacerbation of symptoms of myasthenia gravis

Answer 16

Cholinergic Crisis

Question 17

neuromuscular disorder that attacks the myelin sheath of nerve fibers, causing lesions known as plaques

Answer 17

Multiple Sclerosis

Question 18

drugs that reduce the spasticity of muscles

Answer 18

Muscle Relaxants

Question 19

a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease that affects approximately 14 in 100,000 persons…muscular weakness & fatigue, respiratory muscle paralysis, ptosis, difficultly chewing/swallowing…lack of ACh reaching cholinergic receptors…treated w/ AChE Inhibitors

Answer 19

Myasthenia Gravis (MG)

Question 20

severe generalized muscle weakness that may involve the muscles of respiration

Answer 20

Myasthenia Crisis

Question 21

anticonvulsant (AED) that inhibits sodium inlfux (phenytoin)

Answer 21

Hydantoins

Question 22

G.U.M.S.= Nursing Interventions for Anticonvulsants

Answer 22

nursing interventions for anticonvulsants…G= gingival hyperplasia, U= use alternate birth control, M= mouth care, S= don’t stop abruptly

Question 23

Nursing Interventions for Dopaminergic Agent Administration

Answer 23

monitor vital signs & EEG, monitor orthostatic hypotension, observe for weakness, dizziness or syncope; administer with low protein foods, observe for symptoms of parkinsonism

Question 24

Patient Teaching for Dopaminergic Agent Administration

Answer 24

urge pt. not to stop abruptly, advise urine may be discolored, advise not to crush or chew ER tablets, encourage pt. to report side effects, advise that food will slow absorption rate, urge pt. who takes selegiline to avoid foods high in tyramine (hypertension), urge pt. taking amantadine to report skin lesions, seizures or depression; advise pt. taking bromocriptine to report lightheadedness, warn pt. to avoid alcohol when taking bromocriptine, teach pt. to check HR

Question 25

Nursing Interventions for Anticholinergic Agents Administration

Answer 25

monitor vital signs, urine output & bowel sounds; observe for involuntary movements

Question 26

Patient Teaching for Anticholinergic Agents Administration

Answer 26

advise pt. to avoid alcohol, cigarettes, caffeine & aspirin; encourage pt. to relieve dry mouth; suggest sunglasses & sunscreen; advise pt. to void before taking the drug; encourage pt. to have routine eye exams, encourage pt. to eat high fiber foods & increase fluid intake

Question 27

Nursing Interventions for Rivastigmine Administration

Answer 27

maintain consistency in care, assist pt. in ambulation, monitor for side effects, record vital signs, observe for behavioral changes

Question 28

Patient Teaching for Rivastigmine Administration

Answer 28

explain purpose of drug, clarify time for dosing, teach family about safety techniques, inform family of support groups, advise pt. to rise slowly, monitor LFTs, inform family about food preparation for tolerance

Question 29

to relieve muscular spasms & pain associated with traumatic injuries & spasticity from chronic debilitating disorders (MS, stroke, cerebral palsy, head & spinal cord injuries)

Answer 29

Indications for Muscle Relaxants

Question 30

Nursing Interventions for Muscle Relaxant Administration

Answer 30

monitor serum liver enzyme levels of pt. taking dantolene & carisoprodol, record vital signs, observe for CNS effects,

Question 31

Patient Teaching for Muscle Relaxant Administration

Answer 31

teach pt. not to stop abruptly, advise pt. not to drive/operate machinery, inform pt. that drugs are usually not taken longer than 3 weeks, teach pt. to avoid alcohol, advise pt. to use cautiously with pregnancy, encourage pt. to report side effects: N&V, dizziness, fainting, headache, diplopia; advise pt. to take with food

Question 32

Three Ways Anticonvulsants Work

Answer 32

(1) suppressing Na+ influx= Hydantoins (2) suppressing Ca+ influx= Succinamides (3) increasing action of GABA= Barbituates

Question 33

Nonpharmcological Treatments for Parkinsonism

Answer 33

exercise, nutritional diet, support groups

Question 34

Parkinsonism Medications

Answer 34

Anticholinergics, Dopaminergics, Dopamine Agonists, MAO-B inhibitor, COMT inhibitor

Question 35

1st group of drugs for Parkinson's (drug induced)...inhibits release of ACh...decreases tremors...start w/ low dosages then gradually increase...contraindicated in pt. w/ memory loss/dementia, glaucoma, GU obstruction, BPH

Answer 35

Anticholinergics as Parkinson's Drug (benztropine, biperiden, trihexyphenidyl, Benadryl)

Question 36

drugs that decreases symptoms of Parkinson's...carbidopa, a decarboxylase inhibitor, permits more levodopa to reach striatum nerve terminals where it's converted to dopamine

Answer 36

Dopaminergics

Question 37

drugs for Parkinson's...selegiline- inhibits catabolic enzymes of dopamine to extend action of dopamine (early treatment of Parkinson's)...rasagiline- inhibits breakdown of dopamine at synapses in brain, allows neurons to reabsorb more dopamine for use later

Answer 37

MAO-B Inhibitor

Question 38

drug that inhibits COMT enzyme increasing concentration of levodopa (used in combo w/ carbidopa-levodopa)

Answer 38

COMT Inhibitor

Question 39

Side Effects of Anticholinergics

Answer 39

red as a beet, dry as a bone, mad as a hatter, hot as a hare, can't see can't pee, can't spit can't shit, N&V, postural hypotension

Question 40

Side Effects of Dopaminergics

Answer 40

GI upset, dyskinesias, orthostatic hypotension, cardiac dysrythmias, psychosis, agranulocytosis (low WBC)

Question 41

tacrine (Cognex), donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon), galantamine (Razadyne), memantine (Namenda XR)

Answer 41

ACh Inhibitors for Alzheimer's Disease

Question 42

Drugs for Myasthenia Gravis (MG)

Answer 42

ultrashort-acting= Tensilon, short-acting= Prostigmin, intermediate-acting= Mestinon, long-acting= Mytelase

Question 43

Side Effect of AChE Inhibitors for MG

Answer 43

GI disturbances, increased salivation, increased tearing, miosis, blurred vision, bradycardia & hypotension

Question 44

disease characterized by weakness or spasticity in extremeties & double vision (diplopia)

Answer 44

Multiple Sclerosis