Week 1 meds/ content Flashcards
What are the two types of neurons in the peripheral nervous system?
Sensory neurons detect things (like pain, heat, touch). Motor neurons make your body respond (like moving your hand away from something hot).
What is the difference between the somatic and autonomic nervous systems?
Somatic controls muscles you move on purpose (like walking). Autonomic controls things your body does automatically (like heart rate and digestion).
What are the two divisions of the autonomic nervous system?
Sympathetic (Fight or Flight): Speeds up heart, opens airways, makes body ready for action. Parasympathetic (Rest & Digest): Slows heart, helps digestion, relaxes the body.
What does the parasympathetic system control?
It controls Rest & Digest (slows heart, helps digestion, relaxes body).
What receptors are in the parasympathetic system?
Muscarinic receptors and Nicotinic receptors.
Do the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems work together?
Yes, they balance each other.
What do nicotinic receptors do?
Control muscle movements. Do not directly increase heart rate.
What do muscarinic receptors do?
Control organs affected by the parasympathetic system. When activated, they slow heart rate, increase digestion, and help with urination.
What do cholinergic medications do?
They increase Acetylcholine (ACh) by blocking Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), so more ACh stays in the system.
Why tell patients on anticholinergic meds to wear sunglasses, eat fiber, and avoid hot showers?
Sunglasses: Pupil dilation makes eyes sensitive to light. Fiber: Meds slow digestion, causing constipation. No hot showers: Meds reduce sweating, which can overheat the body.
Do anticholinergic meds block muscarinic receptors?
Yes.
What is a cholinergic crisis?
Too much ACh, causing muscle spasms, trouble breathing, slow heart rate. Atropine is the antidote.
What neurotransmitters are in the sympathetic system?
Norepinephrine, Epinephrine, Dopamine.
How is norepinephrine removed from the synapse?
Reuptake (goes back into the nerve) or broken down by Monoamine Oxidase (MAO).
What do adrenergic receptors do?
Alpha 1: Tightens blood vessels (raises blood pressure). Alpha 2: Lowers norepinephrine (lowers blood pressure). Beta 1: Increases heart rate. Beta 2: Opens airways (helps breathing).
How do adrenergic meds help with shock?
They increase blood pressure & circulation.
How are sympathomimetics similar to anticholinergics?
Both increase heart rate & reduce digestion.
What are the three catecholamines?
Epinephrine, Norepinephrine, Dopamine.
What is the difference between selective and nonselective meds?
Selective targets one receptor (example: Beta-1 only affects the heart). Nonselective affects multiple receptors (example: Beta-1 & Beta-2 affect both heart & lungs).
What does Dopamine (Intropin) do?
Raises blood pressure, increases heart rate, opens airways.
What does Phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine) do?
Raises blood pressure, shrinks swollen blood vessels in the nose.
Are adrenergic blockers similar to parasympathomimetics?
Yes (They slow heart rate & lower BP).
Why should people not stop beta blockers suddenly?
It can cause rebound high blood pressure & heart problems.
