Palliative Care PPT Flashcards
What is the first line anticipatory drug for nausea and vomiting and why?
haloperidol - because it’s once a day, long acting, and covers a large range of N&V
what route could you use in a cachectic person instead of IM?
subcutaneous route - unlicensced for most drugs
Which of the below would you discontinue at EOL?
Statins, treatment dose LMWH, prophylactic LMWH, opioids, iron?
statins, prophylactic LMWH, iron
name two common indications for a syringe driver
persistent N&V and severe dysphagia
do oral and subcutaneous doses have the same effect?
they should do as long as the patient is absorbing things properly
how strong is codeine in comparison to morphine?
codeine is 1/10th the strength of morphine
What is the mechanism of action of pregabalin?
acts on calcium channels to stop calcium coming into the cell whcih hyperpolarises the cell making it harder for an action potential to be formed
what class of drug is clonazapam?
benzodiazepine
what is the mechanism of action of clonazapam?
increases chloride in teh cell through GABA receptors.
Why might benzodiazepines make people sleepy?
because they are decreasing lots of neural pathways in teh brain and not just the pain pathway
what is the mechanism of action of opioids in terms of their pain relief effects?
they open potassium channels via G-protein coupled receptors, making them more negative (hyperplolarises cell) whcih reduces the chance of an action potential forming
name four ways in which opioids can cause harm
- Excessive side effects
- toxic by-products (metabolites)
- opioid induced hyperalgesia
- poorly informed patients and professionals
Name 3 GI side effects of morphine
constipation, xerostomia, N&V, delayed gastric emptying, GORD, constriction of the sphincter of Oddi
name 4 neurological effects of opioids
analgesia, delirium, hallucinations, sedation, myoclonus, hyperalgesia, seizures, headahces, euphoria, dysphoria, dependency
name two cardiovascular effects of opioids
bradycardia, hypotension
name 2 pulmonary effects of opioids
respiratory depression, decresased cough reflex, non-cardiogenic pulmonary oedema
name two urological effects of opioids
urine retention, decreased urine production
name an endocrinological effect of opioids
hypognoadism/sexual dysfunction, osteoporosis
what effect are opioids thoeught to have on immunity
thought to decrease immunity.
opioid induced bowel dysfunction causes what 3 effects?
cramps, slow bowel transit, dry hard stool
what are the two most common causes of opioid toxicity in EOL patients
poor prescribing/wrong dose given, pt has gone into renal failure (most opioids are excreted renally)