Analgesic Agents Flashcards
(29 cards)
What are analgesic agents?
Drugs used to relieve pain and alter the way pain impulses are processed in the CNS.
Define pain.
Sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage.
What are A fibers?
Myelinated nerve fibers that transmit pain signals quickly.
What are C fibers?
Unmyelinated nerve fibers that transmit pain signals slowly.
What is the Gate-Control Theory of Pain?
Theory suggesting that the transmission of pain impulses can be modulated or adjusted by factors such as learned experiences and cultural expectations.
What are opioid agonists?
Drugs that react with opioid receptors to cause analgesia, sedation, or euphoria.
Name some examples of opioid agonists.
- Morphine
- Hydromorphone
- Codeine
- Oxycodone
- Fentanyl
- Hydrocodone
What are the contraindications for opioid agonists?
- Known allergy
- Diarrhea caused by poisons
What are common adverse effects of opioid agonists?
- Respiratory depression
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Dizziness
What are opioid agonists-antagonists?
Drugs that act as partial agonists at mu-opioid receptors and antagonists at kappa-opioid receptors.
What is naloxone?
An opioid antagonist used to reverse adverse effects of opioids.
What are ergot derivatives used for?
To prevent or abort migraine or vascular headaches.
What are triptans?
Drugs that cause cranial vascular constriction to relieve migraine headache pain.
What is the action of CGRP inhibitors?
Inhibit CGRP, a potent vasodilator released during migraine attacks.
What are some nursing considerations for patients receiving opioid agonists?
- Assess for contraindications
- Monitor vital signs
- Perform pain assessments
Fill in the blank: The _______ is the pathway that transmits pain signals from the body to the brain.
spinothalamic tract
True or False: Opioids can be used safely in children without any special considerations.
False
What are the actions of triptans?
Bind to selective serotonin receptors to cause vasoconstriction of cranial vessels.
What are common adverse effects of ergot derivatives?
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Chest pain
- Arrhythmias
What is the indication for using opioid antagonists?
Reversal of the adverse effects of opioids.
What should be monitored in patients receiving opioid antagonists?
- Vital signs
- Electrocardiogram
- Signs of withdrawal
What is a key nursing diagnosis for patients receiving analgesics?
Altered gas exchange related to respiratory depression.
What are the nursing implications for administering antimigraine agents?
- Assess for contraindications
- Provide patient teaching
- Monitor for adverse effects
Fill in the blank: The _______ is a type of headache characterized by severe, throbbing pain on one side of the head.
migraine headache
