Pharmacology Flashcards
What antiemetic should MOST be avoided in patients undergoing assisted reproductive therapy?
Metoclopramide
Along with droperidol, metoclopramide is avoided in the assisted reproductive therapy population because it can cause increased prolactin levels. High prolactin levels have been shown to impair follicle maturation and corpus luteum function, decreasing the likelihood of a successful reproductive outcome.
The highest serum fluoride levels are seen following the administration of which volatile anesthetic?
Sevoflurane
How is mivacurium metabolized?
It undergoes hydrolysis by plasma cholinesterase at a rate equivalent to 88% that of succinylcholine
It therefore, would have a prolonged duration of action in a patient who is homozygous for atypical plasma cholinesterase
What are the common side effects of anticholinergics?
Hot as a hare: increased body temperature
Blind as a bat: mydriasis (dilated pupils)
Dry as a bone: dry mouth, dry eyes, decreased sweat
Red as a beet: flushed face
Mad as a hatter: delirium
Decreased intestinal motility and peristalsis (constipation)
Lower esophageal sphincter pressure is reduced
What is an adverse effect of prolonged intravenous administration of nitroglycerin?
Methemoglobinemia, which causes a false reading of SaO2 of 85% (whether the patient’s saturation is higher or lower)
Systemic opioids modify pain through action at what neurological site?
The substantia gelatinosa
What are the special characteristics of alfentanil’s pharmokinetics.
It has a very small volume of distribution, which is why it has a short elimination half-life (1.5 hr)
What are the manifestations of anthrax poisoning?
It is an influenza-like disease with cough, myalgia,fever and malaise.
After a few days, the patient improves, but the a couple of days later, the patient becomes much sicker with dyspnea, cyanosis, hemoptysis, stridor, and chest pain.
What is the most notable finding on CXR for anthrax exposure?
Widened mediastinum
What is the treatment for anthrax?
Ciprofloxacin and doxycycline
(Penicillin G was the treatment of choice, but weaponized anthrax has been engineered to be resistant to this medication)
What is the bacteriology of anthrax?
It is a gram-positive, spore-forming bacillus that is transmitted to humans from contaminated animals and their carcasses.
Inhalational anthrax is rare but has an 80% mortality rate.
Describe the 2 types of HIT. How is it diagnosed?
1) Mild form: shows a transient decrease in platelet count after heparin exposure.
2) Severe form: autoimmune-mediated, with IgG antibodies to heparin and platelet factor IV.
Diagnosis is made my observing a 50% drop in platelets after heparin exposure, recovery after discontinuation of heparin, and exclusion of other causes and confirmation of antibodies.
Methadone (potency vs. Morphine; where does it act; what ECG changes can it cause)
It is 3 times as potent as morphine
It can also act on NMDA receptors (mu receptors as well)
It can cause a prolongation of the QT interval
What effects does acute vs. chronic use of cocaine have on MAC?
Acute use of cocaine increases MAC, due to increased sympathetic discharge, which can lead to coronary spasm and STEMI
Chronic use does not affect MAC. Synaptic catecholamines are spent with chronic use and indirect pressors like Ephedrine are often ineffective in increasing the blood pressure
What does magnesium do at the neuromuscular junction?
It antagonizes the release of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction and therefore, potentiates both depolarizing and non depolarizing neuromuscular paralytics
What common medication lowers the activity of the plasma cholinesterase?
Medications that inhibit pseudocholinesterase are: neostigmine cyclophosphamide phenelzine pancuronium esmolol metoclopramide monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) oral contraceptives
What dose of the benzocaine can cause methemoglobinemia?
Doses > 200-300mg
What effects does terbutaline have on electrolytes?
It is a beta1 & 2 agonist, with predominantly beta 2 properties. It therefore produces hyperglycemia, hypokalemia, and tachycardia
What effect does clonidine have on blood glucose?
Clonidine improves blood glucose control and decreases insulin requirements during surgery in type II diabetics by inhibiting sympathoadrenal activity as an alpha-2 agonist
How does Cimetidine effect hepatic drug metabolism? Name other drugs that are similar in effect.
It inhibits hepatic drug metabolism
Ketoconazole
Erythromycin
Disulfiram
Ritonavir
What are some common drugs that increase/promote hepatic drug metabolism?
Phenobarbital Phenytoin Rifampin Carbamazepine Ethanol
Which volatile anesthetic has the largest impact on global warming?
Desflurane has the highest potential to produce global warming (although all anesthetics are recognized as greenhouse gases)
Sevoflurane and Isoflurane may contribute almost equally when used in conjunction with high fresh gas flow rates and 60% nitrous oxide.
What drugs cause a histamine release and transient hypotension?
Morphine Atracurium Mivacurium Doxacurium d-tubocurarine
Because all of these drugs possess the benyzlisoquinoline structure
What effect does lithium have on anesthetic drugs?
Lithium decreases anesthetic requirements & interferes with the action of several anesthetic agents.
It prolongs the effects of barbiturates, benzodiazepines, succinylcholine and non depolarizing muscle relaxants.
It blocks the effect of ADH on the renal tubules
It can produce hypokalemia and hypercalcemia