PHARM 1 EXAM #2 Flashcards
Explain major responses to stimulation of adrenergic receptors
Differentiate between selective and nonselective adrenergic agonists.
Contrast the uses of alpha blockers and beta blockers
Compare the indications and general side effects of adrenergic agonists and adrenergic
blockers
Describe nursing interventions, including patient teaching, associated with adrenergic agonists and adrenergic blockers.
Apply the nursing process for the patient taking beta-adrenergic blockers
Compare the responses of cholinergic agonists and anticholinergic drugs
Cholinergic agonists — stimulate PSN/mimic neurotransmitter ACh
—Receptors: Musarinic (smooth muscles), Nicotinic (skeletal muscles)
Anticholinergic agonists — inhibit
GU drug: Tolterodine tartrate (Detrol)
Gotta go RIGHT NOW
Is an anticholinergic/antimuscarinic agent that is used to treat overactive bladder symptoms
The purpose of Atropine
Action
—Increases pulse, decreases motility and peristalsis, decreases salivary secretions
Side effects/adverse reactions
—Tachycardia, palpitations, nasal congestion, flushing, photophobia, blurred vision, dry mouth and skin, abdominal distention, urinary retention, impotence
Contraindicated in glaucoma
— Because anticholinergic drugs can increase intraocular pressure, they should not be administered to patients diagnosed with glaucoma.
RN Interventions for Atropine
Monitor vital signs, urine output, bowel sounds.
Monitor safety: bedside rails, driving motor vehicles.
Provide mouth care and eye drops.
Avoid hot environments.
Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, caffeine, and aspirin at bedtime.
Wear sunglasses in bright light.
Differentiate between direct-acting and indirect-acting cholinergic agonists
Direct-acting — muscarinic receptors (Heart, GI, GU, glands)
Drugs: Metoclopramide (Reglan); Pilocarpine (Pilocar)[Glaucoma]; Bethanoechol chloride (Urecholine) (check for hx of peptic ulcer, urinary obstruction, or asthma — contraindications)
Indirect-acting — Cholinesterase inhibitors inactivate the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (cholinesterase), thus permitting acetylcholine to react to the receptor.
Drugs: Achetylcholinesterase- inhibitor
Contrast the indications and major side effects of cholinergic agonists and antagonists
Cholinergic agonists = too wet, too drooly
Cholinergic antagonists = too dry, dilate eyes, bronchoconstrict lungs
Differentiate the uses of cholinergic agonists and antagonists
What drug is used for a patient post anesthesia
given as a short-term only, <2hr for acute respiratory insufficiency r/t COPD
Dopram is a prescription medicine used to treat the symptoms of COPD Associated with Acute Hypercapnia, Respiratory Depression Postanesthesia, and Drug-Induced CNS Depression
Apply the nursing process, including patient teaching associated with cholinergic agonists
and anticholinergic
Apply the nursing process for the patient taking neostigmine, a reversible cholinesterase
inhibitor
Edrophonium (Tensilon) is a VERY short-acting and often used for diagnostic purposes.
— Neostigmine methylsulfate and ambenonium chloride are used to treat myasentenia gravis.
— Physostigmine salicylate is used to treat anti-cholinergic syndrome or glaucoma.
Explain the effects of stimulants on the central nervous system (CNS)
What are the medically approved uses for CNS Stimulants?
— Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
— Narcolepsy
— Reversal of respiratory distress
Compare attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and narcolepsy
ADHD
— Pathophysiology: Dysregulation of transmitters (Serotonin, Norepinephrine, Dopamine)
Characteristics
— Inattentiveness, inability to concentrate, restlessness, hyperactivity, inability to complete tasks, impulsivity
______________VS_________________________
Narcolepsy
Characteristics:
— Inability to control sleep/stay awake
— Recurrent attacks of drowsiness and sleep during daytime
— Falls asleep while driving, talking, eating, standing
Amphetamine drugs vs. Amphetamine-like drugs
Amphetamines:
— amphetamine sulfate (Adderall); destroamphetamine sulfate (Desedrine); lindexamfetamine dimesylate (Vyvanse)
VS
Amphetamine-like:
—methylphenidate HCl (Ritalin); modafinil (Provigil); dexmethylphenidate (Focalin); amodafinil (Nuvigil)
RN Implications/Interventions when taking *Methylphenidate (Ritalin)
— Give before breakfast and lunch (30-45 minutes)
— Report irregular heartbeat
— Watch growth in children who take this drug; ensure they’re growing at the standard pace
— Record height, weight, and growth + development of children.
— Avoid alcohol, caffeine
— Use sugarless gum/ice chips to relieve dry mouth.
— Do not stop abruptly; taper off to avoid withdrawal symptoms b/c changes the CNS neuro-chemicals chemistry**
— Counseling must also be used.
— Do not give after 2-3pm…will have insomnia
Side/Adverse Effects for Methylphenidate (Ritalin)
— Tachycardia, palpitations, dizziness, hypertension
— Sleeplessness, restlessness, nervousness, tremors, irritability
— Increased hyperactivity
— Anorexia, dry mouth, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss
— Thrombocytopenia = decreased platelet count in blood
What are Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPSs)
akathisia, dystonia, psuedoparkinsonism, and dyskinesia, are drug-induced side effects that can be problematic for persons who receive antipsychotic medications (APMs) or other dopamine-blocking agents. Pseudoparkinsonism, or neuroleptic-induced parkinsonism, includes slow pill-rolling finger tremors, masklike facial expression, weakened voice, absence of arm swing when walking, stiff stooped posture, and an impaired shuffling gait. Cogwheeling rigidity, assessed frequently in the arms, is a ratchet-like motion of the extremities during extension.
Drugs used for Parkinsonism
Drugs used - Anticholinergic/antiparkinsonism
— Benztropine (Cogentin)
— Biperiden (Akineton)
— Trihexyphenidyl HCl (Artane)
Action
Decreases involuntary movement, tremors, muscle rigidity
— These drugs (that decrease acetylcholine) can be used alone early in Parkinson’s, later they are combined with levodopa/cabidopa (which increases dopamine).
What are the contraindications for taking Methylphenidate (Ritalin)
Patients who have a history of heart disease, hypertension, hyperthyroidism, parkinsonism, or glaucoma.
Side/Adverse Effects of Amphetamines
— Tachycardia, palpitations, hypertension
Sleeplessness, restlessness
— Irritability
— Anorexia, dry mouth, weight loss, diarrhea, constipation
— Impotence (no el sexo)
Methylphenidate (Ritalin) MOA + Uses + Interactions
MOA
— Modulates serotonergic pathways by affecting changes in dopamine transport
USES
— ADHD, fatigue, narcolepsy
INTERACTIONS
— Caffeine may increase effects (decrease or eliminate, plsss)
— Decreased effects when using with decongestants, anti-HTN’ves, barbiturates
— May alter insulin effects
Drugs used for Narcolepsy
Methylphenidate (Ritalin)
Modafinil (Provigil) — don’t fully understand the MOA
Uses: increases the amount of time patients with narcolepsy feel awake
Drugs used for ADHD
Amphetamines MOA: stimulate release of norepinephrine + dopamine
high abuse potential due to euphoria-feeling
Amphetamine-Like drugs: Methylphenidate (Ritalin), Dexmethylphenidate (Focalin)
Differentiate the action of drugs used for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and
narcolepsy
Amphetamines & Amphetamine-Like Drugs
— MOA: stimulate release of norepinephrine + dopamine; has a paradoxical effect to be able to increase attention span and cognitive performance
Runs potential for abuse/addiction
___________________
For Narcolepsy
— MOA:
Contrast the common side effects of amphetamines, anorexiants, analeptics, doxapram, and
caffeine
Respiratory CNS Stimulants for Adults
Drug — Doxapram (Dopram)
Uses — Respiratory depression caused by overdose, pre/post-anesthetic respiratory depression, and hx of COPD; trying to get off ventilators and need a little push to help you become more awake
Onset of action — 20-40 seconds, peak within 2 minutes
Side Effects — HTN, Tachycardia, trembling, convulsions
Analeptic Drugs, Use, + Side Effects
Drugs — Caffeine, Theophylline
Uses — Stimulate respiratory effort in newborns
Side Effects
— Restlessness, tremors, twitching, palpitations, insomnia
— Diuresis, tinnitus, nausea, diarrhea
— Psychological dependence
Anorexiant Drugs + Side Effects
— Benzphetamine HCl (Didrex)
— Diethylpropion HCl (Tenuate)
— Phentermine HCl (Suprenza)
— Phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia)
— Phendimetrazine (Bontril)
— Lorcaserin (Belviq)
Side effects
Nervousness, restlessness, irritability, insomnia, heart palpitations, and hypertension
___________________
NOTE: tolerance and abusive tendencies may arise if on the drug long enough therefore not chosen often
Apply the nursing process for the patient taking CNS stimulants
Apply the nursing process for the patient taking doxapram (Dopram)
MOA — stimulates the medullary respiratory centre both by a direct action and by peripheral stimulation of the carotid body
Uses — Respiratory depression caused by overdose, pre/post-anesthetic respiratory depression, and hx of COPD; trying to get off ventilators and need a little push to help you become more awake
Onset of action — 20-40 seconds, peak within 2 minutes
Side Effects — HTN, Tachycardia, trembling, convulsions
Differentiate the types and stages of sleep
— Rapid eye movement (REM)
— Nonrapid eye movement (NREM)
________________________________
NOTE: It is difficult to arouse someone who is in REM sleep)* therefore interrupting a person’s sleep (before reaching REM cycle), results in the person having to go through these stages from the beginning in order to reach REM**
COHORT YOUR CARE TO PREVENT THIS
Explain several nonpharmacologic ways to induce sleep
— No daytime naps
— Warm fluids to drink
— Caffeine avoided 6 hr before bedtime
— Heavy meals and exercise avoided before bedtime
— Warm bath, reading, listening to music
Differentiate among these adverse effects: hangover, dependence, tolerance, withdrawal
symptoms, and rapid eye movement (REM) rebound, respiratory depression, & hypersensitivity
Hangover — residual drowsiness
Dependence — results in withdrawal symptoms
Tolerance — need to increase dosage to get desired effect
Withdrawal symptoms — due to being dependent on a drug
Rapid eye movements (REM) rebound — vivid dreams and nightmares
Respiratory depression — suppression of respiratory center in the medulla; CNS depressants/EtOH/opioids = need ambubag
Hypersensitivity — skin rashes
Sedative/Hypnotic effect is determined by the _____. Differentiate between the two.
Dose
________
Sedative = give a smaller dose
Hypnotic = give a larger dose
Sedative-Hypnotic Drugs
Sedatives produce mildest form of CNS depression
Drugs — Barbiturates, Benzodiazepines, Nonbenzodiazepines
OTC Sedative-Hypnotics
— Sominex
— Tylenol PM
— Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
Difference between the 1st generation antihistamines vs. the 2nd
1st generation — crosses the BBB —> drowsiness
— e.g. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
2nd generation — does NOT cross the BBB —> no drowsiness/non-sedating
— e.g. Claritin, Zyrtec, Xyzal, Allegra
Discuss the uses of benzodiazepines
Drugs used as hypnotics —
— Flurazepam (Dalmane)
— Alprazolam (Xanax)
— Temazepam (Restoril)
— Triazolam (Halcion)
— Estazolam (ProSom)
— Quazepam (Doral)
Drugs used for anxiety
— Lorazepam (Ativan); can give higher dose to abort seizures
— Diazepam (Valium)
________
**NOTE: high doses = hypnotic-sedatives vs. low doses = anxiolytic
Apply the nursing process for the patient taking benzodiazepines for hypnotic use