Pharmacology Week 11: Pain and Inflammation Management Agents; Reproductive, Genitourinary and Gender Related Drugs Flashcards
Pain and Inflammation Management Agents
- Opioid Analgesics (Morphine Sulfate)
- Non-Opioid Analgesics (Acetaminophen)
- Corticosteroids (Prednisone)
Pharmacological Pain Management
drugs used to control pain range from mild, over-the-counter (OTC) preparations to controlled substances and potent general anesthetics
- Pain assessment = 5th vital sign and is an essential nursing intervention to all patients
- Variety of pain assessment scales, most common involves patient rating their pain on a scale between 0 to 10
Pain
an unpleasant sensation and emotional response to the sensation
- effects all areas of a persons life
- besides pain scale, the nurse needs to assess the QUALITY and DURATION of the patients pain
To Assess Quality of Pain
ask the patient to describe the pain as:
- sharp/ dull
- aching
- stabbing
- burning
- throbbing
- tinging
- searing etc.
To Assess Duration of Pain
- Acute (short term)
- Chronic (6 months or longer)
- Intractable (chronic and resistant to relief)
Non-Opioid Analgesics
used for pain management and have antipyretic (fever reducer) and anti-inflammatory effects
ex: acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- inhibit prostaglandin synthesis peripherally for analgesic effect and centrally for antipyretic effect
Acetaminophen
- Non-Opioid Analgesic
- produces analgesic and antipyretic effects and is used in many OTC preparations
- Adverse Reactions: skin rash, liver damage
- recommended for short term use only
- do not take with alcohol
- may be taken with other OTC pain relievers
- exceeding the recommended dosage can lead to liver + kidney function problems
Acetaminophen Adverse Reactions
-skin rash
-liver damage
(recommended for short term use, do not take with alcohol)
-alcohol use with this drug increases risk of hepatotoxicity
-exceeding the recommended dosage can lead to liver + kidney function problems
Opioid Analgesics
reduce pain by binding to opiate receptor sites in the peripheral and central nervous systems blocking the pain response
- stimulation of the opiate receptors mimic the effect of endorphins that are naturally occurring opiates in the body
- this receptor-site binding produces the therapeutic effects of analgesia and cough suppression
Opioid Analgesics Receptor-Site Binding Therapeutic Effects
- analgesia
- cough supression
Adverse Reactions of Opioid Analgesics
- respiratory depression
- constipation
- confusion
- sedation
- hypotension
Opioid Analgesics: Morphine
may be administered by a variety of routes: -mouth (PO) -subcutaneously (sub q or sq) -intramuscular (IM) -rectally -intravenously (IV) -intrathecal (in spinal cord) >may be given orally in short or long acting forms >injectable >IV as intermittent injection >continuous infusion >patient controlled analgesia that allows the patient control over when pain medication will be administered
Nurses Role in Opioid Administration
- assess type, location, and intensity of patients pain prior to administering opioids and 1 hour after
- monitor vital signs, mental status and bowel function/constipation (laxatives may be needed with long-term use because of constipation)
- monitor signs of physical and psycho-social dependence on the drug
- prolonged use of this drug an lead to opioid addiction or abuse
- assess level of consciousness + vital signs before and after administration
- Naloxone may be given with overdose to reverse respiratory depression or coma
What May Be Given To Reverse the Effects of Overdose in Opioids?
Naloxone
-may be given with overdose to reverse respiratory depression
Anti-Inflammatory Medications
protect the body from invading foreign substances and reduce inflammation in the body
-Sub-classifications–> antihistamines, corticosteroids, uricosurics