Week 10- Opioid Use

Question 1

What is the MOA of opioids?

Answer 1

Act on opiate receptors and neurotransmitter systems in the CNS
Cause CNS depression and have major effect on the brain reward system
Euphoria, analgesia, drowsiness, slurred speech, decreased resp rate, GI peristalsis, decreased pupil size

Question 2

What are the S&S of overdose?

Answer 2

Pinpoint pupils, clammy skin, decreased resps, hypoglycemia, decreased LOC, can lead to coma or death

Question 3

What are the S&S of opioid withdrawal?

Answer 3

craving, abd cramps, diarrhea, tremors, chills, body aches, sleep disturbances, anxiety, N&V, hypertension

Question 4

What is harm reduction?

Answer 4

Focuses on reducing or preventing the harms on a continuum of use rather than on abstinence.
policies, programs, and practices with the aim of reducing the harms associated with substances in persons unable or unwilling to stop use.

Question 5

What is the onset and duration of naloxone?

Answer 5

Onset- 1 min
Duration- 45 min

Question 6

What is naloxone?

Answer 6

Opioid Antagonist, antidote; Used to treat overdose/opioid induced respiratory depression. Competes with opioids at opioid receptor sites.

Question 7

Buprenorphine is less sedating than methadone.
True or False

Answer 7

True.
Methadone: Opioid agonist used for withdrawal management and has lower risk than illicit opioid use. Avoid using other sedating substances such as alcohol and benzodiazepines
Buprenorphine: Less sedating than methadone, available sublingually, lower risk of overdose than methadone

Question 8

What are complications of opioid use?

Answer 8

Constipation, bowel obstruction, risks for blood borne illness related to injection

Question 9

A client is receiving chlordiazepoxide (Librium) as needed for signs and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. The nurse assesses the client and determines the need for medication when the client displays:
1. mild tremors, hypertension, tachycardia.
2. bradycardia, hyperthermia, sedation.
3. hypotension, decreased reflexes, drowsiness.
4. hypothermia, mild tremors, slurred speech.

Answer 9

1. Chlordiazepoxide is given during alcohol withdrawal. Symptoms that indicate a need for this drug include tremors, hypertension, tachycardia, and elevated body temperature. Bradycardia, sedation, hypotension, decreased reflexes, hypothermia, and slurred speech aren’t symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.

Question 10

A client who is withdrawing from alcohol is being given lorazepam (Ativan). The client’s family asks the nurse about the medication. What is the best response by the nurse?
1. “ Short-term use of lorazepam can lead to dependence.”
2. “ The lorazepam will reduce the symptoms of withdrawal.” 3. “ The lorazepam will make him forget about symptoms of withdrawal.”
4. “ The lorazepam will also help with his heart disease.”

Answer 10

A client who is withdrawing from alcohol is being given lorazepam (Ativan). The client’s family asks the nurse about the medication. What is the best response by the nurse?
1. “ Short-term use of lorazepam can lead to dependence.”
2. “ The lorazepam will reduce the symptoms of withdrawal.” 3. “ The lorazepam will make him forget about symptoms of withdrawal.”
4. “ The lorazepam will also help with his heart disease.”

2. Lorazepam is a short-acting benzodiazepine usually given for 1 week to help the client in alcohol withdrawal. Long-term (not short-term) use of lorazepam can lead to dependence. The medication isn’t given to help forget the experience; it lessens the symptoms of withdrawal. It isn’t used to treat coexisting cardiovascular problems.