Toxicology

Question 1

Toxicology

Answer 1

The study of toxic or poisonous substances.

Question 2

Poision

Answer 2

Substance whose chemical action could damage structures or impair function when introduced into the body.

Question 3

Drug

Answer 3

Substance that has some therapeutic effect when given in the appropriate circumstances and appropriate dose.

Question 4

Toxins

Answer 4

A poison or harmful substance produced by bacteria, animals or plants.

Question 5

Bioavailability

Answer 5

The percentage of unchanged substances that is present in the systemic circulation

Question 6

Half-life

Answer 6

Amount of time needed for the average person to metabolize or eliminate 50% of a substance in the plasma.

Question 7

Chemical Subside

Answer 7

A method that involves mixing certain household chemicals in an enclosed space to create toxic gases

Question 8

Toxidrome

Answer 8

Narcotic, sympathomimetic, sedative-hypnotic, cholinergic, anticholinergic

Question 9

Drug abuse

Answer 9

Any use of a drug that causes physical, psychological, economic, legal, or social harm to the user or others affected by the user’s behavior

Question 10

Habituation

Answer 10

Physical and psychological dependance on a drug

Question 11

Physical dependance

Answer 11

A physiologic state of adaptation to a drug caused by chronic use, usually characterized by tolerance to the effects of the drug and withdrawal if use of the drug is stopped (especially abruptly)

Question 12

Tolerance

Answer 12

Physiologic adaptation to the effects of a drug such that increasingly larger doses of the drug are required to achieve the same effect.

Question 13

Withdrawal syndrome

Answer 13

A predictable set of signs and symptoms, usually involving altered CNS activity, that occurs after the abrupt cessation of a drug or after a rapid decrease in the usual dosage of a drug

Question 14

Drug addiction

Answer 14

Chronic disorder characterized by the compulsive use of a substance that results in physical, psychological, economic, legal, or social harm to the user, the user continues to use the substance despite the harm.

Question 15

Antagonist

Answer 15

A molecule that blocks the ability of a given chemical to bind to its receptors, preventing a biological response

Question 16

Potentiation

Answer 16

The enhancement of the effect of one drug by another drug.

Question 17

Synergism

Answer 17

The action of two substances such as drugs, in which the total effects are greater than the sum of the independence effects of the two substances.

Question 18

Esophageal Varices

Answer 18

Fluid back up in the hepatic system causes elevated pressures, as pressures continue to rise, smaller vessels leading into the liver can become engorged with blood and swell and can rupture.

Question 19

Delirium Tremens (DT’s)

Answer 19

48-72 hrs after the last alcohol intake.
Signs and symptoms include confusion, tremors, restlessness, fever, diaphoresis, tachycardia, hypotension secondary to dehydration.

Question 20

Rhabdomyolysis

Answer 20

The destruction of muscle tissue leading to a release of potassium and myoglobin

Question 21

Hallucinogen

Answer 21

Substance that can impair judgement, alter the users perception of reality and create a realistic sensation of images or sounds that are not actually present

Question 22

Barbiturates (sedative hypnotic)

Answer 22

Class of medication that act as a CNS depressant. They have therapeutic uses as anxiolytics, anticonvulsants, and hypnotics.
-Analgesic effects are associated with barbiturate use, but often minimal.

Question 23

Benzodiazepines (sedative hypnotic)

Answer 23

Most commonly used to treat anxiety, seizures, and withdrawal symptoms.

• Stimulate GABA pathways resulting in sedation and reduced anxiety
• Metabolized by the liver

Question 24

Narcotics (CNS depressant

Answer 24

Opiate- used to describe various alkaloids derived from the opium or poppy plant (such as morphine and codeine)

Opioid- refers to a synthetic narcotic with sedative prosperities that is not derived from the opium (such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, tramadol, and fentanyl)

Fentanyl is more potent then morphine, it takes less of the medication to create a therapeutic effect.
Morphine has some vasodilatory properties due to histamine release, and fentanyl has a shorter half life.

Question 25

Antidotes

Answer 25

Beta blocker- IV glucagon 1mg every 5 mins.

Calcium channel blocker- IV calcium chloride or calcium gluconate is the initial treatment, IV glucagon may improve both the pulse rate and myocardial contractility.

Question 26

Organophosphate poision

Answer 26

Diarrhea
Urination
Miosis (constricted pupils), muscle weakness.
Bradycardia, bronchospasm, bronchorrhea (discharge of mucus from lungs)
Emesis
Lacrimation (excessive tearing of eyes)
Seizures, salvation, sweating

Question 27

Tricyclic Antidepressant (TCA’s)

Answer 27

Formerly prescribed for depression, may see them prescribed for insomnia, eating disorders, and personality disorders.

• They work as serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors.
• Overdose can cause sympathomimetic and serotonergic effects.
• “hot as a hare, blind as a bat, dry as a bone, red as a beet, and mad as a hatter”

Question 28

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI’s)

Answer 28

Used to treat atypical depression.
-norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine are primary neurotransmitters that assist with improving mood and affect with there presence in certain cells and circuits in the brain.

Question 29

Selective Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI’s)

Answer 29

A common choice for managing depression.

• work by enhancing serotonergic neurotransmission and inhibiting the breakdown of serotonin.
• Few cardiac effects or anticholinergic effects, so they are a safer options to TCA’s
• prozac, paxil, citalopram, zoloft

Question 30

Serotonin syndrome

Answer 30

Idiosyncratic complication that occasionally occurs with antidepressants therapy.
Signs and symptoms include shivering and diarrhea to muscle rigidity and fever.

Question 31

Lithium

Answer 31

Common mood stabilizer used in the treatment of bipolar disorder.