narcotic analgesics Flashcards
What is an analgesic?
A medication that relieves pain
How is an analgesic different that an anesthetic?
It lowers one’s perceptions of pain rather that stopping nerve transmission
Non-narcotic analgesics such as aspirin or tylenol relieve pain but do not…
produce narcosis which means numbness or sedation
What is a narcotic ?
Derived from opium OR produced synthetically to relieve pain and also induce euphoria, alter mood and produce sedation.
The 2 sub categories of narcotic analgesics are:
Opiates and synthetics
Opiates are derived from what?
opium
the opium poppy is called palaver somniferum, what does that mean?
carrier of sleep
What is an Alkaloid?
A chemical that is found in, and can be physically extracted from some substance. Think “main ingredient”
All narcotic analgesics have these 3 common characteristics:
- They relieve pain
- Produce withdrawn signs and symptoms
- Suppress the withdraw signs and symptoms of chronic narcotic analgesic administration
(meaning various narcotic analgesics can substitute each other to relieve withdraw symptoms).
___________________ is typically the standard for comparison with other narcotic analgesics.
Morphine
What is the hip term all of the cool kids are referring to as an injection site?
mark
Drugs and medications are usually injected into the body in these 3 ways:
- Intramuscular
- Intravenous
- subcutaneous
Tell me more about intramuscular injections
Legal injections are usually this method
defined as administering by entering a muscle
Whats the deal with intravenous injections?
For drawing of blood for medical procedures
injection made into a blood vessel, veins are usually used
arteries are deep, thus not lending themselves to injection
What are subcutaneous injections?
means just under the skin
slang term is “skin popping”
What are the parts to a hypodermic syringe?
- hollow needle
- barrel (tube)
- plunger
The greater the number of the gauge…
The smaller diameter of the needle
Most illegal drug users prefer a smaller or larger gauge?
larger
A user’s equipment is commonly referred to as:
“hype kit or “works”
What is a cooker in regards to a user’s kit?
bottle cap, metal spoon, etc that is used to heat the drug with water to form an injectable solution.
What is a handle in regards to a user’s kit?
to hold the “cooker” over the flames
What does a lighter do in a users kit?
heats the cooker
Why do druggies use a tourniquet to take their drugs?
causes the vein to bulge thus making it easier to inject.
What does cotton do in regards to a user’s kit?
filters the drug
An injection mark for medical purposes can be described as:
Clean
No scaring or scabbing
Most intramuscular injections will not even be evident during a DRE evaluation
What are some indications of a non medical (illicit) injection site?
Multiple marks in various stages of healing
Takes approximately 2 weeks for a mark to heal completely
use of the same needle causes it to become barbed, leaving jagged injection marks.
What do the terms “tunnel” or “corn” mean?
Multiple injections in the same hole to avoid detection turn into a large sore causing site to enlarge and bruise. a viewing with the magnifying glass will show numerous puncture wounds overlapping each other.
What does thrombosed mean?
Veins become thick/hard from continuous injections. This is an obstruction clot of coagulated blood shutting off the passage of blood.
What the hell is trap dooring?
When a user lifts a scab and injects underneath it to avoid detection… gross
How long do scabs take to develop after an injection?
18-24 hours. As a general rule, scabs form as bright red and the color gets darker with age from there
When does a scab normally fall off on its own?
14 days
What does a fresh puncture wound look like?
Injection less than 12 hours old will be a red dot, have an oozing appearance with no scab formation
What classifies as a early puncture wound?
12-96 hours will have a light scab, light bruise, redounded border and crater appearance.
What is classified as a late puncture wound?
5-14 days old, will have a dark scab, dark bruise and crater will flatten.
What is classified as a healing puncture wound?
over 14 days old, scab will be flaking/falling off. Shriveled light color skin underneath.
What is unique about tattoos in relation to injection marks?
Many tattoos are designed to hid injection marks
What is “tattooing”
Dark carbon deposits that result from a needle being sterilized with a flame. The carbon deposits are injected into the skin resulting in a tattoo effect.
What is a “track” or “silver streaks”
hardened part of vein where numerous injections have occurred. The entire vein becomes scarred/hardened and may no longer be able to inject into it. The are becomes raised and is a silvery-blue color.
As a general rule, 1 inch of tracks indicates what?
approximately 50-100 separate injection have occurred in that area.
What is another name for diacetylmorphine?
Heroin
Common synthetic opiates
Demerol
Methadone
Fentanyl
Two concepts of Tolerance for a Drug
The same dose of the drug will produce diminishing effects.
A steadily larger dose is needed to produce the same effects.
“On the nod” observable effects.
- Semiconscious
- Droopy eyelids(Ptosis)
- Head slumped forward, chin on chest
- Easily awakened
- Normally alert to questions
Other effects of Narcotics
Slowed reflexes; slow and raspy speech; slow, deliberate movements; inability to concentrate; slowed breathing; skin cool to the touch; possible vomiting; and itching of the face, arms or body.
Other effects of Narcotics
Slowed reflexes; slow and raspy speech; slow, deliberate movements; inability to concentrate; slowed breathing; skin cool to the touch; possible vomiting; and itching of the face, arms or body.
Onset of a Narcotic Analgesics
Immediate
- pleasure or euphoria
- relief from withdrawal
- relief from pain
Physical effects
- 5-30 minutes
Observable for 4-6 hours
Signs and symptoms of withdrawal from heroin
4-6 hours after injection
- Aches; chills; insomnia; nausea
8-12 hours
- goose bumps; sweating; runny nose; tearing; vomiting; YAWNING;
14-24
- dilation of pupils; goosebumps; loose of appetite; slight tremors
24-36
- depression; diarrhea; hot and cold flashes; insomnia; vomiting; weakness
Overdose signs and symptoms of Narcotics
Breathing will become slow and shallow - death can occur.
Clammy skin; convulsions and coma; blue lips and pale or blue body; extremely constricted pupils; recent needle marks.
General indicator of subjects under the influence of Narcotic Analgesics
Constricted pupils; depressed reflexes; droopy eyelids; drowsiness; dry mouth; euphoria; facial itching; nausea; on the nod; puncture marks; slow reflexes; slow, low, raspy speech; slowed breathing
