Neurological System Part 1 Flashcards
Prototype (Centrally Acting Muscle Relaxants)
Prototype: Baclofen
Other Drugs: Carisoprodol, Chlorzoxazone, Cyclobenzaprine
For muscle spasms
Mechanism of Action (Centrally Acting Muscle Relaxants)
Mechanism: Enhances the inhibitory effects of GABA on receptors in the spinal cord, resulting in suppression of hyperactive reflexes.
Side Effects (Centrally Acting Muscle Relaxants)
Common: Drowsiness, dizziness, weakness, fatigue
Less Frequent: Nausea, vomiting, constipation, urinary retention
Withdrawal Effects: Anxiety, restlessness, visual hallucinations, seizures (with abrupt discontinuation)
Interventions (New Prescriptions)
Dosing: Start with the lowest effective dose and gradually increase to minimize adverse effects like dizziness and drowsiness.
Monitor: Encourage clients to drink plenty of fluids and increase fiber to avoid constipation.
Safety Alert (Discontinuation)
Alert: Taper dose over 1–2 weeks to prevent withdrawal effects such as seizures, hallucinations, and anxiety.
Administration (Baclofen)
Oral Doses: Gradually increase by 5 mg every 3 days, aiming for 20 mg three to four times per day. Administer with food or milk to prevent GI upset.
Intrathecal Infusion: Administered directly into the spine when oral doses are ineffective.
Client Instructions (Adverse Effects)
CNS Effects: Instruct clients that drowsiness and dizziness usually subside over time. Advise slow position changes if dizzy.
Constipation: Encourage increasing fiber and fluid intake to prevent constipation.
Contraindications and Precautions (Centrally Acting Muscle Relaxants)
Contraindications: Known hypersensitivity to the drug, concurrent use with MAOIs. Cyclobenzaprine is contraindicated within 2 weeks of MAOI use.
Precautions: Use cautiously in older adults, children, and clients with severe mental illness, seizure disorders, or cerebrovascular accidents.
Interactions (Cyclobenzaprine)
MAOI Interaction: Using cyclobenzaprine with MAOIs can result in hyperpyretic crisis and seizures.
Serotonin Syndrome: Risk when combined with SSRIs, SSNRIs, or tricyclic antidepressants.
Prototype (Peripherally Acting Muscle Relaxants)
Prototype: Dantrolene
For muscle spasms
Mechanism of Action (Peripherally Acting Muscle Relaxants)
Mechanism: Inhibits the release of calcium in skeletal muscle tissue, which is necessary for muscle contraction, leading to muscle relaxation and relief of spasticity.
Side Effects (Dantrolene)
Common: Muscle weakness, drowsiness, dizziness, diarrhea
Severe: Liver toxicity (more common with higher doses and long-term use)
Interventions (Dantrolene)
Monitor: Watch for CNS side effects (drowsiness, dizziness) and assist with ambulation.
Start with low doses: Gradually increase to minimize side effects.
Monitor liver function: Especially with long-term use or higher doses, and monitor for diarrhea.
Safety Alert (Dantrolene and Muscle Weakness)
Alert: Monitor muscle strength regularly to ensure that weakness doesn’t impair ambulation, which could lead to dangerous falls.
Administration (Dantrolene)
Oral: Most commonly used for spasticity.
IV: Use for treating malignant hyperthermia via IV bolus during life-threatening situations.
Preoperative use: Take orally 1–2 days before surgery for prevention of malignant hyperthermia in at-risk clients.
Client Instructions (Dantrolene)
Muscle Weakness: Report any weakness that interferes with daily activities.
Avoid driving: If feeling drowsy or dizzy.
CNS Depressants: Avoid alcohol and other CNS depressants.
Liver Damage: Report signs of liver damage, such as abdominal pain, jaundice, or yellowing of skin/eyes.
Contraindications and Precautions (Dantrolene)
Contraindications: Clients with liver disease.
Precautions: Use cautiously in clients with cardiac/pulmonary disease or
neuromuscular disorders.
Age Risk: Clients over age 35 are at increased risk for liver damage.
Interactions (Dantrolene)
Liver Toxicity: Increased risk in females over 35 who take estrogen.
CNS Depressants: Avoid using with other CNS depressants (e.g., alcohol), as it increases the risk of excessive sedation.
Cardiac Risks: May cause severe cardiac dysrhythmias when taken with calcium channel blockers.
Prototype (Hydantoins)
Prototype: Phenytoin
Other Medication: Fosphenytoin
For seizure
Mechanism of Action (Hydantoins)
Mechanism: Decreases neuronal activity by inhibiting sodium influx through sodium channels, slowing nerve impulses and preventing seizure activity. Prolongs the inactive state of neurons, reducing the frequency of seizures.
Side Effects (Hydantoins)
Common: Mild drowsiness, CNS depressant effects, gingival hyperplasia (especially in children/adolescents)
Serious: Skin rash, potential Stevens-Johnson syndrome, epidermal necrolysis
Interventions (Hydantoins)
Monitor: Drowsiness, CNS effects (may indicate toxicity).
Oral care: Check for gingival hyperplasia in children/adolescents.
Rash: Monitor for serious rashes like Stevens-Johnson syndrome and discontinue medication immediately if rash develops.
Administration (Hydantoins)
Oral: Give with meals to reduce gastrointestinal distress.
IV: Do not inject more than 50 mg/min (or 25 mg/min for older adults). Monitor for cardiac collapse and dysrhythmias during IV administration.
Therapeutic Range: Maintain phenytoin levels between 10-20 mcg/mL. Monitor regularly to avoid toxicity.
Safety Alert (Hydantoins)
Abrupt discontinuation: Can result in seizure recurrence or status epilepticus.
Rash Alert: Epidermal necrolysis or Stevens-Johnson syndrome can occur—discontinue immediately if rash develops.
Client Instructions (Hydantoins)
Avoid: Driving or mental alertness activities if drowsiness occurs.
Oral Care: Regular dental checkups, use a soft-bristled toothbrush, floss, and massage gums to prevent gingivitis.
Blood Levels: Periodic monitoring may be required to check therapeutic range.
Report: Rashes or severe side effects immediately.
Do not stop suddenly: Taper to avoid seizures.
Side Effects (Carbamazepine)
Common: Visual disturbances, headache, ataxia, nystagmus, blurred vision, fluid retention
Serious: Skin rash (Stevens-Johnson syndrome, epidermal necrolysis), bone marrow suppression, photosensitivity reactions
Interactions (Hydantoins)
Incompatibility: IV phenytoin is incompatible with many other medications and dextrose solutions.
Increased Phenytoin Levels: Diazepam, isoniazid, cimetidine, valproic acid.
Decreased Levels: Phenobarbital, carbamazepine.
Alcohol: May increase or decrease phenytoin levels.
Oral Contraceptives: Phenytoin reduces effectiveness—recommend alternative birth control methods.
Contraindications and Precautions (Hydantoins)
Contraindications: Pregnancy (teratogenic risk), skin rash, bradycardia, heart block, low blood sugar seizures, allergy to hydantoins.
Caution: Use carefully in clients with liver/kidney disease, cardiac dysfunction, diabetes, respiratory dysfunction, or alcoholism. Risk of toxicity in older adults and clients in a weakened state.
Drug Class (Carbamazepine)
Anticonvulsants / Antiseizure Medication (ASM)
Mechanism of Action (Carbamazepine)
Mechanism: Inhibits sodium influx through sodium channels, decreasing the neuronal discharge in areas of increased activity. This helps prevent seizures and stabilize mood in bipolar disorder.
Interventions (Carbamazepine)
Monitor: CNS effects, skin rashes, fluid retention.
Labs: Baseline and periodic blood counts to check for bone marrow suppression, particularly white blood cell count (WBC).
Dose: Start with a low dose and gradually increase. Administer the larger dose at bedtime to reduce daytime side effects.
Safety Alert (Carbamazepine)
Bone marrow suppression: Watch for low WBCs; obtain baseline and periodic blood counts.
Rash: Monitor for Stevens-Johnson syndrome, especially in clients of Asian descent (test for HLA-B*1502 gene).
Fluid retention: Can cause heart failure symptoms—report decreased urine output, edema, and shortness of breath.
Administration (Carbamazepine)
With Meals: Take with food to reduce gastric upset.
Sustained Release: Swallow whole, chewable tablets can be crushed.
Oral Suspension: Do not mix with other suspensions. Keep plasma levels consistent; administer with a sip of water if NPO.
Client Instructions (Carbamazepine)
CNS Effects: Inform clients that visual disturbances and incoordination should lessen over time; avoid driving or hazardous activities until effects are known.
Sun Protection: Use sunscreen and protective measures due to photosensitivity.
Fluid Retention: Report signs of heart failure (edema, decreased urine output, shortness of breath).
Rash: Report any rash immediately.
Bone Marrow Suppression: Report fever, sore throat, easy bruising.
Contraindications and Precautions (Carbamazepine)
Contraindications: Pregnancy risk (teratogenic), hematologic disorders, heart failure, absence or myoclonic seizures.
Caution: Clients with cardiac/hepatic disease, alcoholism, or positive for HLA-B*1502 gene (risk for Stevens-Johnson syndrome).
Interactions (Carbamazepine)
Increases Plasma Levels: Grapefruit juice, antifungals, erythromycin, isoniazid, some antiretrovirals, valproic acid, verapamil, niacin, loratadine, nefazodone, and MAOIs.
Decreases Plasma Levels: Phenytoin, barbiturates, rifampin, cisplatin, theophylline.
Oral Contraceptives: Decreased effectiveness—use alternative birth control methods.
Drug Class (Valproic Acid)
Class: Anticonvulsants / Antiseizure Medication (ASM)
Mechanism of Action (Valproic Acid)
Mechanism: Inhibits sodium influx through sodium channels and decreases neuron discharge. May also affect calcium influx and enhance the inhibitory effects of GABA.
Prototype (Valproic Acid)
Prototype: Valproic Acid
Other Medications: Valproate, Divalproex Sodium
An Antiseizure
Contraindications and Precautions (Valproic Acid)
Contraindications: Pregnancy risk (teratogenic), liver disorder, thrombocytopenia, hyperammonemia, concurrent anticonvulsant use.
Caution: Clients with kidney disease, older adults, and children under 2 years old.
Side Effects (Valproic Acid)
Common: GI upset, indigestion
Serious: Bruising, bleeding, prolonged bleeding time, decreased platelets, skin rash, liver toxicity, hyperammonemia
Administration (Valproic Acid)
Oral/IV: Can be given orally or IV. For GI issues, use enteric-coated tablets.
With Food: Administer with food to minimize gastric distress.
IV Administration: Dilute in at least 50 mL of diluent, and do not mix with other medications.
Safety Alert (Valproic Acid)
Hepatic & Pancreatic Failure: Monitor closely for signs of liver toxicity (e.g., jaundice) and pancreatitis (e.g., abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting).
Pregnancy: Avoid during pregnancy due to risk of neural tube defects (e.g., spina bifida). If pregnant, take folic acid to reduce the risk.
Client Instructions (Valproic Acid)
Report: Rash, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, jaundice, unexplained bruising, bleeding.
For caregivers: Watch for confusion or changes in consciousness (signs of hyperammonemia) and contact the provider.
Interventions (Valproic Acid)
Monitor: Platelet count, bleeding time, ammonia levels, liver function (baseline and periodic tests).
Look for: Unexpected bruising, blood in urine or stool, hyperammonemia (vomiting, confusion, decreased consciousness).
Report: Elevated serum amylase (pancreatitis risk), jaundice, and abdominal pain.
Interactions (Valproic Acid)
Increases Levels of: Phenytoin, phenobarbital
Increased Risk of Hyperammonemia: When taken with topiramate.
Prototype (Second- and Third-Generation ASMs) antiseizure medication
Prototype: Oxcarbazepine
Other Medications: Gabapentin, Lamotrigine, Topiramate, Levetiracetam, Zonisamide, Brivaracetam, Cenobamate
Mechanism of Action (Oxcarbazepine)
Mechanism: Binds to sodium channels, inhibiting the release of glutamate (an excitatory neurotransmitter), reducing seizures.
Side Effects (Oxcarbazepine)
Common: Dizziness, drowsiness, vision changes, headache, ataxia
Serious: Stevens-Johnson syndrome, hypothyroidism, decreased bone mineral density, leukopenia
Safety Alert (Oxcarbazepine)
Hyponatremia: Monitor sodium levels, especially in clients using diuretics or sodium-depleting medications.
Abrupt Discontinuation: May lead to increased seizure frequency or status epilepticus.
Interventions (Oxcarbazepine)
Monitor: Sodium levels, white blood cell count, and complete blood count.
Start with low dose: Gradually increase the dosage, dividing it into two daily doses.
Genetic Testing: Test for the HLA-B*1502 gene in clients of Asian descent to avoid severe skin reactions.
Administration (Oxcarbazepine)
Route: Administer orally as a tablet or liquid.
Dosing: Divide the total daily dose into two doses.
Client Instructions (Oxcarbazepine)
Sun Protection: Always use protection against sun exposure.
Birth Control: Use additional forms of contraception, as oxcarbazepine reduces the effectiveness of oral contraceptives.
Skin Reactions: Report any skin reactions immediately.
Contraindications and Precautions (Oxcarbazepine)
Contraindications: Allergy to carbamazepine.
Precautions: Use cautiously with clients who are at risk for hyponatremia.
Interactions (Oxcarbazepine)
Increases Phenytoin Levels: Concurrent use with phenytoin may cause elevated serum phenytoin levels.
Decreased Oxcarbazepine Levels: May occur when used with phenytoin, phenobarbital, or carbamazepine.
Oral Contraceptives: Oxcarbazepine reduces the effectiveness of oral contraceptives.
Prototype (Local Anesthesia)
Prototype: Lidocaine (Amide-type)
Other Medications: Procaine, Benzocaine (Ester-type)
Mechanism of Action (Local Anesthesia)
Mechanism: Blocks the influx of sodium through sodium channels, preventing depolarization and blocking the initiation of action potentials.
Side Effects (Local Anesthesia)
CNS Stimulation: Restlessness, irritability, tremors, confusion, convulsions
CNS Depression: Respiratory depression
Cardiac Effects: Hypotension, life-threatening cardiac conduction disorders (at high doses)
Safety Alert (Local Anesthesia)
Cardiac Risks: High doses of lidocaine can cause life-threatening conduction disorders.
Systemic Absorption: CNS stimulation followed by depression can occur with systemic absorption of high doses.
Administration (Lidocaine)
Application: Avoid application to eyes or broken skin due to risk of systemic absorption and toxicity.
Epinephrine Addition: Extends anesthetic effect but may cause vasoconstriction—monitor for lack of circulation in distal areas (e.g., fingers, toes).
Interventions (Local Anesthesia)
Monitor: Vital signs during and after procedures, particularly for signs of CNS stimulation (restlessness, tremors) or hypotension (especially with spinal anesthesia).
Treatment: If hypotension occurs, lower the head of the bed and have ephedrine or phenylephrine available.
Client Instructions (Local Anesthesia)
Report: Dizziness, abnormal sensations (paresthesia), and breathing difficulties during or after the procedure.
Monitoring: Expect careful monitoring of vital signs during and after the procedure.
Interactions (Lidocaine)
Increases Lidocaine Levels: Beta blockers, cimetidine, quinidine
Cardiac Risk: Increased risk of cardiac effects with phenytoin.
Increased CNS/Cardiac Effects: With concurrent use of procainamide and lidocaine.
Contraindications and Precautions (Lidocaine)
Contraindications: Allergy to lidocaine or amide-type anesthetics.
Precautions: Avoid viscous lidocaine in children under 3 years old.
Cardiac Risk: Clients with bradycardia or heart block may experience cardiac arrest when using lidocaine.
Mechanism of Action (Short-Acting Barbiturates)
Mechanism: Causes significant CNS depression and enhances the inhibitory effects of GABA, inducing rapid anesthesia and hypnosis.
Prototype (Short-Acting Barbiturates)
Prototype: Methohexital Sodium
Other Medication: Propofol (widely used, but linked to misuse)
Class: General Anesthetics – Barbiturates / Intravenous Anesthetics
Induce General anesthesia and hypnosis
Side Effects (Short-Acting Barbiturates)
Common: Decreased heart rate and blood pressure
Serious: Hypotension, tachycardia (compensatory), respiratory depression, apnea, overdose leading to death
Interventions (Short-Acting Barbiturates)
Monitor: Vital signs before, during, and after anesthesia; monitor for hypotension and respiratory depression.
Slow IV Administration: Administer slowly to minimize risks.
Constant Observation: Keep resuscitation equipment nearby.
Safety Alert (Short-Acting Barbiturates)
Respiratory Risk: Monitor respiratory status carefully for decreased respirations or apnea, which can occur due to CNS depression.
Client Instructions (Short-Acting Barbiturates)
Reassurance: Inform clients they will be closely monitored before, during, and after the procedure to ensure safety.
Administration (Short-Acting Barbiturates)
Route: IV injection or infusion only.
Patency Check: Ensure IV line is in the vein to avoid extravasation, which can cause severe damage to surrounding tissue.
Contraindications and Precautions (Short-Acting Barbiturates)
Contraindications: Known sensitivity to the medication.
Precautions: Use cautiously in clients with hepatic or renal disease, as these conditions can prolong the effects of the drug.
Prototype (Benzodiazepines)
Prototype: Midazolam
Other Medication: Diazepam
A General anesthetic