Week 7 Flashcards
What is the primary mechanism of action for opioid agonists like morphine?
Opioid agonists primarily work by binding to mu opioid receptors in either central nervous system.
This binding inhibits the transmission of pain signals, leading to analgesia, and euphoria.
What are two potential adverse effects of aspirin therapy, and what patient education should be provided to mitigate these risks?
Two potential adverse effects of aspirin therapy are gastrointestinal bleeding and tinnitus.
To mitigate these risks, patients should be advised to take aspirin with food or milk and to report any signs of bleeding, such as black or tarry stools, to their healthcare provider. Additionally, patients should be aware of the potential for tinnitus and should report any persistent ringing in their ears to their provider.
Explain the difference between COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitors, and provide an example of each.
COX-1 inhibitors block the COX-1 enzyme, which is involved in the production of prostaglandins that protect the stomach lining and promote platelet aggregation. Examples of COX-1 inhibitors include aspirin and ibuprofen. COX-2 inhibitors selectively block the COX-2 enzyme, which is primarily involved in inflammation and pain. An example of a COX-2 inhibitor is celecoxib (Celebrex).
Describe the concept of equianalgesia and its relevance to opioid therapy.
Equianalgesia refers to the ability of different opioid analgesics to provide equivalent pain relief at different doses. This concept is relevant to opioid therapy because it allows for the safe and effective conversion between different opioids when necessary, such as when a patient experiences intolerable side effects from one opioid or requires a different route of administration.
What is the maximum daily dose of acetaminophen for adults, and why is it important to monitor for potential drug-drug interactions?
The maximum daily dose of acetaminophen for adults is 3000mg/day, but this may be lower in specific cases, especially for those with liver disease or who consume alcohol regularly. Monitoring for potential drug-drug interactions is crucial because acetaminophen can interact with various medications, including warfarin, leading to increased anticoagulant effects.
Describe the signs and symptoms of opioid overdose, and what is the priority nursing intervention?
Signs and symptoms of opioid overdose include respiratory depression, pinpoint pupils, sedation, confusion, and coma. The priority nursing intervention for suspected opioid overdose is to administer naloxone (Narcan), an opioid antagonist that can reverse the effects of opioids.
What is the purpose of adjuvant medications in pain management?
Adjuvant medications are used in pain management to enhance the analgesic effects of opioids and to address other symptoms that may contribute to the pain experience, such as anxiety, depression, and neuropathic pain.
Explain the rationale for using tricyclic antidepressants as adjuvant analgesics.
Tricyclic antidepressants, like amitriptyline, are used as adjuvant analgesics because they block the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine, neurotransmitters that modulate pain perception in the central nervous system. By increasing the levels of these neurotransmitters, tricyclic antidepressants can reduce neuropathic pain.
What are two nursing considerations for clients receiving glucocorticoids like dexamethasone for pain?
Two nursing considerations for clients receiving glucocorticoids like dexamethasone for pain are monitoring blood glucose levels, as glucocorticoids can cause hyperglycemia, and assessing for signs of gastrointestinal bleeding, as glucocorticoids can increase the risk of GI ulceration.
What is the purpose of opioid antagonists like naloxone, and under what circumstances would it be administered?
Opioid antagonists, like naloxone (Narcan), are medications that block the effects of opioids by competing for opioid receptors in the brain. Naloxone is used to reverse the effects of opioid overdose, specifically respiratory depression, and is administered in emergency situations where a patient is experiencing an opioid overdose.
Agonist
A drug that binds to a receptor and activates it, producing a biological response.
Analgesics
Medications that relieve pain.
Antagonist
A drug that binds to a receptor and blocks its activation, preventing a biological response
COX inhibitors
Medications that block the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX), which is involved in the production of prostaglandins.
Equianalgesia
The ability of different opioid analgesics to provide equivalent pain relief at different doses
NSAIDS
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, a class of medications that reduce pain, fever, and inflammation
Opioid agonists
Medications that bind to opioid receptors and activate them, producing analgesia, sedation, and euphoria.
Opioid antagonists
Medications that block the effects of opioids by competing for opioid receptors
Physical dependence
A state in which the body has adapted to the regular presence of a drug and experiences withdrawal symptoms when the drug is discontinued
Prostaglandins
Hormone-like substances that play a role in inflammation, pain, fever, and other physiological processes
Tolerance
A state in which a person requires a higher dose of a drug to achieve the same effect that was previously achieved with a lower dose.
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
A class of antidepressants that can also be used to treat chronic pain, particularly neuropathic pain.
Withdrawal syndrome
A group of symptoms that occur when a person abruptly stops taking a drug that they are physically dependent on.
