Neuro - Part 1 Flashcards
Describe acute pain
Sudden onset - subsides with treatment
Describe chronic pain
Persistent - lasts > 3 - 6 months
Describe breakthrough pain
Abrupt episode of pain while on medication to treat chronic pain
Which types of pain respond best to opioids? (2)
- Visceral pain
- Superficial pain
Which type of pain responds best to non-opioids / NSAIDs?
Somatic pain
Describe the steps of the pain response (4)
- Nociceptors stimulated
- Pain transferred to brain / spinal cord
- Sensation of pain occurs
- Pain interpretation depends on pain threshold
Describe the components of a typical pain assessment (2)
- OLDCARTS
- 1 - 10 severity scale
What is the purpose of the FLACC scale?
Assessment of pain in patients who are unable to self-report pain (infants / children / non-verbal)
Non-opioids have a ______
Ceiling effect
What is the ceiling effect?
Drug reaches a max analgesic effect - does not improve pain with higher doses
What are the types of non-opioid analgesics? (4)
- Acetaminophen
- Tramadol (Ultram)
- Transdermal lidocaine
- NSAIDs
______ is the most commonly used OTC analgesic
Acetaminophen
What is the drug class of acetaminophen?
Centrally acting non-opioid analgesic
acetaminophen has NO ______
Anti-inflammatory effects
Describe the MOA of acetaminophen (2)
- Decreases prostaglandins - blocks peripheral pain
- Acts on hypothalamus - regulates temperature
What are the indications of acetaminophen? (2)
- Mild - moderate pain
- Fever
What is the maximum dose of acetaminophen?
4 grams / 24 hours
Name some examples of acetaminophen-containing drugs (2)
- Percocet
- Vicodin
What is the primary risk associated with acetaminophen?
Hepatotoxicity - avoid alcohol
What is the antidote / reversal agent of acetaminophen?
acetylcysteine
Describe the characteristics of acetylcysteine (3)
- Bad taste
- Smells like rotten eggs
- Can cause vomiting
What action should be taken in the case of vomiting from acetylcysteine?
Repeat dose in 1 hour
What is the drug class of tramadol (Ultram)?
Centrally acting non-opioid analgesic
Describe the MOA of tramadol (Ultram)
Inhibits norepinephrine / serotonin
tramadol (Ultram) has ______ opioid receptor activity
Weak
What is the primary indication of tramadol (Ultram)?
Moderate - severe pain
tramadol (Ultram) is metabolized in the ______
Liver
tramadol (Ultram) is excreted by the ______
Kidneys
tramadol (Ultram) can be mixed with acetaminophen to make ______
Ultracet
What are the side effects of tramadol (Ultram)? (2)
- Dry mouth
- Constipation
Avoid use of ______ with tramadol (Ultram)
Alcohol / CNS depressants
What is the primary contraindication of tramadol (Ultram)?
History of drug abuse
Describe the education associated with tramadol (Ultram)
Increase fiber / activity to prevent constipation
What is the drug class of transdermal lidocaine (Lidoderm)?
Topical anesthetic
Describe the MOA of transdermal lidocaine (Lidoderm)
Blocks sodium channels in nerve membranes
What is the primary indication of transdermal lidocaine (Lidoderm)?
Neuralgia
What is the primary side effect of transdermal lidocaine (Lidoderm)?
Localized skin irritation
Describe the nursing considerations of transdermal lidocaine (Lidoderm) (3)
- Place on painful areas
- Up to 3 patches in one area
- DO NOT wear > 12 hours - risk of systemic absorption (can lead to dysrhythmias)
Opioids have NO ______
Ceiling effect - titrate dosage to desired effect
Which types of opioids are from unripe poppy seeds? (2)
- Morphine
- Codeine
What is the biggest concern associated with opioids?
Respiratory depression - opioids cause cough suppression
RR of ______ is a concern when taking opioids
< 8
What factors are important to monitor with opioid use? (2)
- LOC
- RR
______ bind to opioid receptors in the brain to reduce pain sensation
Opioid agonists
Opioid agonists are schedule ______
II
______ suggests that not every opioid acts equally
Equianalgesia
What are the contraindications of opioids? (5)
- ICP
- Sleep apnea
- Severe asthma
- Morbid obesity
- Myasthenia gravis (MG)
______ is NOT a contraindication of opioids
Nausea
What are the CV side effects of opioids? (3)
- Bradycardia
- Hypotension
- Flushing
What are the CNS side effects of opioids? (5)
- Euphoria
- Sedation
- Disorientation
- Pupil dilation
- Unresponsiveness
What are the GI side effects of opioids? (2)
- N / V
- Constipation
What is the primary GU side effect of opioids?
Urinary retention
What are the integumentary side effects of opioids? (2)
- Itching
- Rash
What are the respiratory side effects of opioids? (2)
- Asthma exacerbation
- Respiratory depression
It is important to start treatment of _______ with the first opioid dose
Constipation
If a patient prescribed opioids has not voided in 6 hours, what assessment should take place?
Bladder scan
What characteristic of opioids is most likely to cause opioid abuse?
High affinity for mu receptors - causes marked euphoria
Describe the nursing considerations for opioids with high abuse potential (2)
- Keep medications secure
- Have reversal agent available
______ is expected especially with morphine
Itching - due to histamine response
Morphine releases a ______ response
Histamine
What is the drug class of morphine sulfate?
Natural opioid agonist
What types of morphine sulfate are extended release? (2)
- MS Contin
- Kadian
What type of morphine sulfate is a concentrated solution for SL use?
Roxanol
Roxanol has a ______ onset
Rapid
What is the primary indication for Roxanol?
Hospice patients for fast relief of symptoms
What is the primary contraindication of morphine sulfate?
Renal impairment
What is the drug class of fentanyl?
Synthetic opioid agonist
What dosage of fentanyl is equal to morphine?
0.1 mg IV fentanyl = 10 mg IV morphine
What is the primary indication of fentanyl?
ICU for sedation during mechanical ventilation - injectable form
What is Duragesic?
Topical fentanyl patch
What is the primary indication of Duragesic?
Chronic pain
What is the primary contraindication of Duragesic?
Opioid-naive patients
Describe opioid-naive patients
Patients who have not received opioids on a daily basis within the previous 30 days
What is the onset of steady state of relief for Duragesic (fentanyl patch)?
6 - 12 hours
Describe the education associated with Duragesic (fentanyl patch)
Remove / reapply every 72 hours
What is the drug class of methadone?
Synthetic opioid agonist
What are the indications of methadone? (3)
- Heroin / opioid withdrawal
- Neuropathic pain
- Cancer pain
What is the unique characteristic of methadone?
Half-life is longer than duration
Why is the half-life longer than the duration of methadone?
Binding in liver, kidneys, and brain
With repeated dosing, methadone builds up and is slowly released. This allows for ______
24-hour dosing
methadone is eliminated by the ______
Liver - safe for patients with renal impairment
What is the primary concern associated with methadone?
Dysrhythmias
What is the drug class of oxycodone?
Semi-synthetic opioid agonist
oxycodone is similar to ______
Morphine
What are some examples of oxycodone drugs? (4)
- percocet
- percodan
- oxycontin XR
- oxycodone IR