Pediatrics, Pregnancy, and Older Adults Flashcards

1
Q

the production of congenital abnormalities (birth defects) in the fetus

A

teratogenesis

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2
Q

Genetic factors account for about 25% of all congenital anomalies. Of the genetically based anomalies, _____ is the most common.

A

Down’s syndrome

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3
Q

Gross malformations are produced by exposure to teratogens during the embryonic period (roughly the ____ trimester)

A

first

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4
Q

Teratogen exposure during the fetal period (i.e., the second and third trimesters) usually disrupts ______ rather than gross anatomy

A

function

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5
Q

Why shouldn’t NSAIDs be taken during pregnancy?

A

NSAIDs may cause premature closure of the ductus arteriosus

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6
Q

To prove that a drug is a ______, three criteria must be met:

*The drug must cause a characteristic set of malformations
*It must act only during a specific window of vulnerability (e.g., weeks 4 through 7 of gestation)
*The incidence of malformations should increase with increasing dosage and duration of exposure

A

teratogen

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7
Q

In December 2014, the FDA issued the _____ ___ ______ _____ (PLLR) which provided new guidance for labeling. This rule phased out the Pregnancy Risk Categories; however, these Pregnancy Risk Categories continue to be prevalent in the literature (A, B, C, D, X).

The PLLR requires three sections for labeling: (1) pregnancy, (2) lactation, and (3) females and males of reproductive potential.

A

Pregnancy and Lactation Labeling Rule (PLLR)

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8
Q

The factors that determine entry into breast milk are the same factors that determine passage of drugs across membranes. Accordingly, drugs that are ______ _______ enter breast milk readily, whereas drugs that are ionized, highly polar, or protein bound do not.

A

lipid soluble

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9
Q

Less than ___% of birth defects are caused by drugs

A

Less than 1% of birth defects are caused by drugs

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10
Q

What proportion of drugs have not been tested in children?

A

two-thirds

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11
Q

IV administration in children vs. adults

A

longer duration in children

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12
Q

IM injection in infants

A

faster onset than adults

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13
Q

Drug absorption through the skin is more rapid and complete in infants than in older children and adults. The stratum corneum of the infant’s skin is very thin, and blood flow to the skin is greater in infants than in older patients. Because of this enhanced absorption, infants are at an increased risk for toxicity from ____ drugs.

A

transdermal/topical

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14
Q

How is protein binding different in infants and how does this intensify the effects of drugs?

A

The binding of drugs to albumin and other plasma proteins is limited in the infant. As result, the concentration of free levels of such drugs is relatively high in the infant.

Protein-binding capacity reaches adult values within 10 to 12 months

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15
Q

Why are infants especially sensitive to drugs that affect CNS function?

A

The blood-brain barrier is not fully developed

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16
Q

When do the liver and kidneys fully mature?

A

1 year old

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17
Q

Although pharmacokinetically similar to adults, children do differ in one important way: They metabolize drugs _____ than adults.

A

faster

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18
Q

For drugs that do not have an established pediatric dosage, the dosage can be extrapolated from adult dosages. The method of conversion used most commonly is based on _________

A

body surface area (BSA)

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19
Q

In children ____ and older, most pharmacokinetic parameters are similar to those in adults. Hence, drug sensitivity is more like that of adults than the very young

A

1 year of age

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20
Q

In older adults, the proper index of renal function is _____ _______, not serum creatinine levels.

A

creatinine clearance

21
Q

How is absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion different in older adults?

A

Metabolism Reduced liver function may prolong drug effects.
Excretion Reduced renal function delays excretion. This is the most important cause of adverse drug reactions in older adults.

22
Q

Tools that help identify potentially inappropriate drug choices for elderly patients

A

Beers list
START and STOPP criteria

23
Q

In 2009, the FDA launched the Medication Exposure in Pregnancy Risk Evaluation Program (MEPREP) - what is it?

A

A data bank that has collected data on over a million babies exposed to meds in utero. Project is ongoing as of 2023

24
Q

What conditions are crucial to treat during pregnancy where medication may be necessary?

A

Asthma
Epilepsy
Hypothyroidism (inadequate thyroxine is associated with miscarriage and impaired infant IQ)
Diabetes

25
Q

What drugs can cross the BBB?

A

All drugs can cross. Some cross more easily than others: small, lipid-soluble drugs can pass most easily

26
Q

Teratogenic exposure during this period is more likely to result in the loss of the pregnancy (miscarriage) rather than specific malformations.

A

Preimplantation period

27
Q

Teratogenic effects are most likely to occur during the ______ period, which spans from the third to the eighth week after conception. This is a crucial phase of development when the major organs and structures of the embryo are formed.

A

embryonic

28
Q

What commonly used drugs are teratogens?

A

Antiepileptic drugs
Statins
Cancer drugs

29
Q

What weeks of pregnancy are the highest risk for teratogenesis?

A

Embryonic period - major anatomic brain structures are forming. Gross malformations produced by teratogens.

3-8 weeks post conception (5-10 weeks after the last menstrual period)

30
Q

What week does the fetal period start?

A

Week 9

31
Q

What advice can you give a nursing mom about when to take her medications if she wants to minimize the baby’s exposure to the drugs?

A

-Take drugs immediately after breast-feeding
-Choose drugs that have short half-lives
-Choose drugs that tend to be excluded from milk

32
Q

Which drugs are more likely to be excreted in breast milk, lipid-soluble drugs or polar/charged drugs?

A

Lipid-soluble drugs are more likely to be excreted in breast milk compared to polar or charged drugs.

Lipid-soluble drugs have the ability to pass through cell membranes, including the mammary gland cells that produce breast milk.

33
Q

How do pediatric patients respond differently to drugs?

A

-More sensitive to drugs (due to organ system immaturity)
-Greater individual variation

34
Q

Why are infants more sensitive to drugs?

A

-Absorption
-Protein binding of drugs (albumin is low)
-BBB (immature)
-Hepatic metabolism (LOW -matures at 1 year)
-Renal drug excretion (LOW -matures at 1 year)

35
Q

How is absorption different in neonates and infant?

A

-PO - delayed gastric emptying, higher pH in stomach
-IM - slow and erratic the first few days of life
-Topical/transdermal (percutaneous) increased toxicity b/c of thin skin

36
Q

What class of drugs may cause growth suppression in children?

A

Glucocorticoids (steroids / anti inflammatory drugs)

37
Q

Why are tetracyclines avoided for children?

A

May cause discoloration of teeth

38
Q

Why should promethazine be avoided in children?

A

May cause respiratory depression in infants/toddlers

39
Q

Which antibiotics can cause kernicterus (brain damage caused by excess bilubrin)?

A

Sulfonamides

40
Q

In general, how do geriatric patients respond differently to drugs?

A

-More sensitive to drugs than younger adults
-Wider individual variation

41
Q

How does absorption change in the older adult?

A

-Rate of absorption is slower, may be more erratic
-Percentage of oral dose that is absorbed does NOT change with age
-Delayed gastric emptying

42
Q

______ blood flow refers to the blood supply that is directed to the abdominal organs, collectively known as the splanchnic organs

A

Splanchnic

43
Q

How is distribution different in geriatric patients?

A

-Increased percentage of body fat and decreased percentage of lean muscle mass
-Reduced albumin (may increase levels of free drugs)
-Decreased total body water (concentration is more intense)

44
Q

How is metabolism different in geriatric patients?

A

-Hepatic metabolism declines with age
-Half-life of some drugs may increase
-Response to oral drugs may be enhanced (those that undergo first-pass effect)

45
Q

What do infants and geriatric patients have in common when it comes to general dosing?

A

Lower dose, longer dosing interval preferred

46
Q

Why are beta blockers less effective in the elderly?

A

Alterations in receptor properties

47
Q

Adverse drug reactions are ____ times more likely in the elderly

A

Adverse drug reactions are 7 times more likely in the elderly

48
Q

What are the symptoms of an adverse drug reaction in geriatric patients?

A

Symptoms tend to be nonspecific such as dizziness or cognitive impairment