Test 2 ch 8

Question 1

Epilepsy

Answer 1

fairly common neurologic disorder characterized by sudden and recurring seizures. Involves disturbances of neuronal electrical activity that interfere with normal brain function.
involves GABA (inhib) and glutamate (exc)

Question 2

Seizure

Answer 2

caused by disordered abnormal electrical discharges in the cerebral cortex resulting in a change in behavior of which the patient is not aware.

Question 3

tonic-clonic seizure (grand mal)

Answer 3

has two phases
first the body becomes rigid and patient may fall, lasting for a minute or less.
the second usually is initiated with muscle jerks, shallow breathing, loss of bladder control, and excess salivation, lasting for a few minutes.

Question 4

absence seizure (petit mal)

Answer 4

begins with interruption of the patients activities by some of the following: blank stares, rotating eyes, uncontrolled facial movements, chewing, rapid eye blinking, twitching, etc, but no convulsions.
last 10 seconds to two minutes.
may have up to 100 attacks a day

Question 5

myoclonic seizure

Answer 5

sudden massive brief muscle jerks which may throw the patient down, or nonmassive quick jerks of the the arm, hand, leg or foot. Consciousness is not lost.

Question 6

atonic seizure

Answer 6

sudden loss of muscle tone and consciousness. Patient may collapse, head may drop and jaw may slacken.
last a few seconds to a minute.

Question 7

status epilepticus

Answer 7

serious disorder involving continuous tonic-clonic convulsions with or without a return to consciousness that last at least 30 minutes.
Can cause brain damage
10% die regardless of treatment

Question 8

Carbamazepine

Answer 8

prophylaxis of generalized tonic-clonic, partial, and mix partial or generalized seizures.
can also be used to treat bipolar disorders
blood monitoring is important because it induces its own metabolism
side effects: drowsiness, aplastic anemia

Question 9

Diazepam

Answer 9

drug of choice for status epilepticus

given by IV, takes 30 to 60 seconds for effects to be come apparent

Question 10

Gabapentin

Answer 10

used as an adjunct for non responsive treatment to partial and generalized seizures.
designed to mimic GABA
side effects: dizziness, ataxia, fatigue, tremors.
well-accepted treatment option for patients with neuropathic pain

Question 11

Lamicital

Answer 11

therapy for adults with partial seizures with or without generalized secondary seizures
blocks sodium channels reducing neuron excitation.
has a black box warning about fatal rashes

Question 12

Keppra

Answer 12

adjunctive therapy for partial seizures.

little potential for drug interactions

Question 13

Trileptal

Answer 13

blocks voltage sensitive sodium channels and stabilizes hyperexcited neurons
used as an adjunct to other therapies
decreases effectiveness of birth control pills
potentially debilitating drowsiness

Question 14

Dilantin

Answer 14

manages generalized tonic-clonic, simple-partial, and complex-partial seizures
need routine hepatic and hematologic tests while taking
must discontinue if even a mild rash appears
interacts with many other drugs
precipitates very quickly

Question 15

Symmetrel

Answer 15

used to treat Parkinson’s disease as well as prophylaxis and treatment for influenza
blocks dopamine reuptake

Question 16

Sinemet

Answer 16

most commonly used drug for Parkinson’s disease
crosses the blood-brain barrier and is then metabolized into dopamine
levodopa has undesirable side effects unless paired with carbidopa
on-off phenomenon where after about 5 years of use it no longer works

Question 17

Mirapex

Answer 17

dopamine agonist that treats Parkinsons with less side effects than other drugs
needs to be prescribed early in the disease.
also approved for restless leg syndrome

Question 18

Imuran

Answer 18

treats myasthenia gravis by suppressing cell-mediated hypersensitivity, altering antibody production, and reversing neuromuscular blockade

Question 19

Baclofen

Answer 19

treats MS, spinal cord lesions, intractable hiccups, and bladder spasticity.
inhibits transmission of reflexes at the spinal cord

Question 20

Zanaflex

Answer 20

reduces muscle spasticity in MS and spinal cord injuries
inhibits presynaptic motor neurons
first oral drug approved for spasticity since baclofen

Question 21

Namenda

Answer 21

treats Alzheimers by blocking NMDA receptors that are excessively active
better tolerated than other drugs
optimal dose depends on the patient

Question 22

Strattera

Answer 22

treats ADHD by selectively inhibiting reuptake of norepinephrine
only nonstimulant medication for ADHD
not a controlled substance so there is much lower risk of abuse

Question 23

Adderall

Answer 23

control schedule 2
alternative to other stimulants
lasts about 6 hours
depression occurs as drug wears off

Question 24

Vyvanse

Answer 24

Treats adhd
dextroamphetamine is chemically bonded to lysine
enzymes cleave off lysine which is supposed to reduce the abuse potential

Question 25

Parkinson’s disease

Answer 25

characterized by muscular difficulties and postural abnormalities
usually affects people over 60
signs are tremors, rigidity, and akinesia
involves dopamine (inhib.) and acetylcholine (exc.)

Question 26

Myasthenia Gravis

Answer 26

disorder of the interface between nervesa nd muscles resulting in autoimmune damage to Ach receptors at motor end plate
characterized by weakness and fatigability, ptosis, diplopia, and then dysarthria
involves acetylcholine

Question 27

ptosis

Answer 27

paralytic drooping of upper eyelid

Question 28

diplopia

Answer 28

double vision, eyes cannot focus on one target

Question 29

dysarthria

Answer 29

imperfect articulation of speech

Question 30

ALS

Answer 30

progressive degenerative disease of the nerves that leads to muscle weakness, paralysis and eventually death.
caused by excessive levels of glutamate

Question 31

MS

Answer 31

autoimmune disease in which myelin sheaths around nerves degenerate
patients lose use of muscles, eyesight can be affected, and eventually severe trembling
no cure for the disease

Question 32

Huntington’s disease

Answer 32

neurodegenerative disorder characterized by brief, repetitive, jerky, involuntary movements. also emotional disturbances and problems thinking

Question 33

restless leg syndrome

Answer 33

pain or unpleasant sensations in the legs, especially between the knees and ankles, driving a person to move legs for relief.

Question 34

fibromyalgia

Answer 34

long term pain across the entire body, as well as tenderness in the joints, muscles, and tendons.

Question 35

Alzheimers disease

Answer 35

degenerative disorder of the brain that leads to progressive dementia and changes in personality and behavior

Question 36

simple partial seizure

Answer 36

patient does not lose consciousness
may have some muscular activity like twitching
may have sensory hallucinations

Question 37

complex partial seizure

Answer 37

patient has impaired consciousness often with confusion, a blank stare, and post-seizure amnesia