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Seventy-five vocabulary flashcards summarizing key pharmacological terms, physiology concepts, drug facts, safety alerts, and nursing considerations from the lecture on pain management and analgesic therapy.
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Opioid
A centrally acting analgesic that suppresses pain perception in the brain and spinal cord.
Non-opioid
Analgesic that works in the peripheral nervous system, e.g., NSAIDs or acetaminophen.
Central Nervous System (CNS)
Brain and spinal cord; primary target of opioid drugs.
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
Nerves outside the brain and spinal cord; target of most non-opioids.
Comfort Goal
The individualized pain-relief level a clinician aims to achieve for each patient.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Common non-opioid analgesic and antipyretic metabolized in the liver.
Tylenol Maximum 24-Hour Dose
No more than 4,000 mg total—or 1,000 mg per dose—in 24 hours.
Black Box Warning
FDA’s strongest safety alert; Tylenol carries one regarding liver toxicity.
Percocet
Combination of oxycodone and acetaminophen; counts toward the daily Tylenol limit.
Liver Metabolism
Process by which the liver chemically alters drugs; key for acetaminophen clearance.
ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase)
Liver enzyme; elevated levels may signal hepatic injury.
AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase)
Another liver enzyme used to assess hepatic function.
GGTP (GGT)
Gamma-glutamyl transferase; enzyme often elevated in liver damage.
Amylase
Digestive enzyme; sometimes monitored with other abdominal labs.
Lipase
Pancreatic enzyme; rises with pancreatic or abdominal pathology.
Jaundice
Yellowing of skin/eyes indicating possible liver dysfunction.
NSAID
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that blocks COX enzymes to reduce pain and inflammation.
Ketorolac (Toradol)
Potent injectable NSAID commonly used for short-term post-operative pain.
COX-1 Inhibitor
Drug that blocks cyclooxygenase-1, affecting gastric and platelet functions.
COX-2 Inhibitor
Drug that selectively blocks cyclooxygenase-2 to reduce inflammation with fewer GI effects.
Nociceptive Pain
Pain from tissue injury or inflammation, e.g., post-surgical incision.
Neuropathic Pain
Pain resulting from nerve damage or dysfunction.
Acute Pain
Short-term pain (usually <3–6 months) that decreases as healing occurs.
Chronic Pain
Persistent pain lasting ≥3–6 months, often requiring around-the-clock therapy.
PCA Pump
Patient-controlled analgesia device that delivers small, self-administered opioid doses.
Peak-and-Valley Effect
Fluctuating drug levels seen with intermittent dosing rather than continuous infusion.
Tolerance
Physiologic adaptation requiring higher doses to achieve the same effect.
Breakthrough Pain
Transient flare of pain despite baseline analgesia.
Immediate-Release Drug
Formulation designed for rapid onset and short duration of analgesia.
Sustained-Release Drug
Preparation that releases medication slowly for prolonged effect.
Transdermal Patch
Drug-impregnated adhesive delivering medication through the skin over time.
Lidocaine Patch
12-hours-on/12-hours-off topical anesthetic patch for localized pain.
Fentanyl Patch
Potent opioid patch changed every 72 hours; requires controlled disposal.
Controlled Substance
Drug regulated for potential abuse, e.g., fentanyl or morphine.
IV Push
Rapid intravenous injection of medication over seconds to minutes.
Standing Order
Pre-authorized routine medication order, often re-evaluated every 24 hours.
Hydration with Tylenol
Adequate fluids aid renal excretion of acetaminophen metabolites.
Hepatotoxicity
Liver damage potentially caused by acetaminophen overdose.
Kidney Excretion
Renal elimination pathway for many drugs, including Tylenol metabolites.
Epidural Analgesia
Continuous or intermittent drug delivery into the epidural space for pain control.
Intraspinal Delivery
Administration of medication within spinal spaces (epidural or intrathecal).
Bupivacaine
Long-acting local anesthetic often combined with opioids in epidurals.
Fentanyl (Epidural Mixture)
Potent opioid (≈100× morphine) used in epidural infusions.
Indwelling Urinary Catheter (Foley)
Tube placed in bladder; often justified during epidural therapy to manage retention.
Straight Catheterization
Single-use catheter insertion to drain bladder and then remove.
Functional Bladder Capacity
Typical urge to void occurs around 250-300 mL; nurses may cath at ≥500 mL per protocol.
Bladder Scanner
Ultrasound device estimating bladder volume non-invasively.
Peripheral Nerve Catheter
Catheter placed near a specific nerve to deliver continuous local anesthetic.
Non-pharmacological Pain Relief
Techniques such as ice, elevation, massage, distraction, or imagery.
Imagery
Guided mental visualization used to reduce pain perception.
Repositioning
Changing body posture to alleviate discomfort.
Massage Therapy
Manual manipulation of soft tissues to relieve pain and tension.
Pain Scale
Standardized tool (e.g., 0–10 numeric) for assessing pain intensity.
Therapeutic Effect
Desired clinical outcome of a medication, such as adequate pain relief.
Adverse Reaction
Unintended, harmful effect occurring at normal drug doses.
Drug Interaction
Alteration of drug effect when taken with another substance.
Opioid-Benzodiazepine Combination Risk
Concurrent use can cause additive CNS depression leading to respiratory compromise.
Opioid Itching
Pruritus commonly triggered by drugs like fentanyl or morphine.
IV Tylenol Dose Size
Standard IV acetaminophen doses are 650 mg or 1,000 mg.
Milligram Limit per Dose
Single acetaminophen doses should not exceed 1,000 mg.
Oral Tylenol Strengths
Tablets typically available as 325 mg (regular) or 500 mg (extra strength).
Anti-inflammatory Response
Physiologic process reducing swelling and pain after tissue injury.
Tissue Injury
Damage to body tissues initiating nociceptive pain pathways.
Inflammation
Localized protective response marked by redness, heat, swelling, and pain.
Patient Teaching
Education on medication use, side effects, and safety measures.
Continuous Infusion
Steady drug delivery, e.g., with epidural or PCA basal rate.
PRN Dosing
Medication given as needed for symptoms like pain.
On-Q Pump
Portable device that delivers local anesthetic continuously to surgical sites.
Whipple Procedure
Extensive pancreatic surgery often requiring aggressive pain control.
Ketamine
NMDA-receptor antagonist sometimes combined with opioids for severe pain.
Breakthrough Dose
Extra dose ordered to treat episodic pain spikes in chronic-pain patients.
Respiratory Rate Increase in Pain
Tachypnea commonly accompanies acute pain episodes.
Blood Pressure Changes in Pain
Acute pain often elevates blood pressure; chronic pain may normalize values.
Heart Rate Changes in Pain
Pain can trigger tachycardia via sympathetic stimulation.
Comfort Measures (Ice, Elevation, Distraction)
Simple, low-risk strategies used before or alongside medication.