special senses medications

Question 1

Special senses medications include:

Answer 1

Ophthalmic:
- antiglaucoma agents
- anti-infective agents
- eye drops (cycloplegic, mydriatic, myotic)
- anesthetics
Otic agents:
- ear drops/ointments
Nasal decongestants:

Question 2

Ophthalmic Drugs:

Answer 2

Local anesthetics:
- used in procedures such as tonometry, cataract surgery, or removal of foreign objects from the cornea
Examples:
- Benoxinate (Fluress, FLurox) - used when suturing of eye is required. used before eye procedures
- Proparacaine (Alcaine) - used immediatley before tonometry
- Tetracaine (Pontocaine) - use drops or ointment to lower conjunctival area

Antiseptic ointments:
- used to treat common eye infections

Ophthalmic antiinfectives:
- used to treat eye infections caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses

Question 3

Corticosteriods:

Answer 3

• used in treatment of inflammation due to infection, trauma, surgery
• contraindicated in viral infection
• special precautions include - thinning of cornea, glaucoma, cataract formation

Question 4

3 major forms of glaucoma:

Answer 4

Primary glaucoma:
- Narrow-angle - a person has a shallow anterior eye chamber, may be genetic, requires surgery
- Secondary glaucoma - result of other eye problems, treated with medications
- Congenital glaucoma - birth defect requiring surgical correction

Question 5

Antiglaucoma medications include:

Answer 5

• Sympathomimetics - produce vasoconstriction and decrease intraocular pressure in open-angle glaucoma
• Beta blockers - reduce intraocular pressure by reducing the formation of aqueous humor
• Miotics, direct-acting

Question 6

Lubricants:

Answer 6

• used to treat dry eyes
• preservative free minims must be disposed after 24 hours

Question 7

Eye drops and oinments:

Answer 7

• treat infection
• dilate or constrict the pupil
• act as a local anesthetic
• reduce inflammation
• reduce intraocular pressure

Question 8

Key aspects when using Ophthalmic medications include:

Answer 8

• checking name, strength, amount of drops or ointment to be instilled
• frequency and time of last administration
• ensuring eye medication is instilled into correct eye/s
• checking expiry date

Question 9

Otic agents - Ear disorders:

Answer 9

• infections of the ear (bacterial or fungal)
• ear wax accumulation
• painful or inflammatory conditions
• deafness and problems with balance
• external ear trauma and infections

Question 10

Ear disorders:

Answer 10

• Otitis externa
• Dermatitis of the ear
• Otitis media
• Perforated eardrum
• Inner ear infection

Question 11

Otic preparations:

Answer 11

• administered to the ear for local effects only
• are not absorbed systemically
• prophylaxis for infections in swimmers
• removing cerumen

Question 12

Nasal decongestants - nasal disorders:

Answer 12

Affecting smell
- Anosmia - lack of sense of smell (genetic trait)
- Hyposmia - mild genetic defect in olfaction
- common symptom of colds and rhinitis is due to inflammation and obstruction of nasal passages