Nervous System Pharm.

Define the difference between an agonist and an opioid antagonist

An agonist is a drug that combines with a receptor to bring about an action, whereas an antagonist combines with a receptor and blocks the action.

Define Neurotransmitter

A neurotransmitter is a chemical substance released by a nerve ending at the synapse. It acts on the adjacent neuron to stimulate, inhibit, or change its activity.

The area of the brain that serves to relay information from the spinal cord and brainstem to the interpretation center in the cerebrum is the ________.

a. cerebellum

b. thalamus

c. hypothalamus

d. hippocampus

b. Thalamus

Most CNS drugs act by ________ or _________ the effects of neurotransmitters.

Interrupting the generation or conduction of nerve impulses; interfering with

What are the primary neurotransmitters for adrenergic receptors?

Epinephrine and norepinephrine

List the four primary ways in which drugs affect the ANS.

Mimicking neurotransmitters, interfering with neurotransmitter release, blocking the attachment of neurotransmitters to receptors, and interfering with the breakdown of neurotransmitters

List five indications for the use of cholinergic agents.

To control vomiting, to treat urinary retention, to stimulate gastrointestinal activity, to treat glaucoma, and to aid in the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis

Atropine, scopolamine, glycopyrrolate, and aminopentamide are examples of what specific drug class?

Cholinergic blocking agents (anticholinergic)

What category of drug is used to treat cardiac arrest and anaphylactic shock?

Adrenergic (sympathomimetic)

Propranolol is an example of what category of drug?

a. Alpha agonist

b. Beta agonist

c. Alpha blocker

d. Beta blocker

d. Beta blocker

What are some adverse side effects of xylazine, and what drug may be used to antagonize its effects?

Bradycardia and hypotension may be antagonized by using atropine; respiratory depression or excessive CNS depression may be antagonized by using yohimbine.

Why would you be concerned about using a thiobarbiturate to induce anesthesia in a very thin dog?

Thiobarbiturates are very soluble in fat, which acts like a sponge to take the barbiturate out of the circulation and away from the CNS. Thin animals have reduced fat levels, which means that more of the thiobarbiturate remains in the bloodstream and may cause excessive depression of the CNS.

What are some of the characteristics of a cat anesthetized with ketamine?

Analgesia, increased muscle tone, maintenance of pharyngeal/laryngeal reflexes, muscle tremors, and loss of the blink reflex

List some of the signs of a narcotic overdose.

Respiratory depression, cardiac depression, agitation, excitement, or seizures

List two narcotic antagonists.

Naloxone and nalorphine

Why should glyceryl guaiacolate not be mixed until just before use?

Because of its tendency to precipitate out of solution when stored

You are assisting in the delivery of a litter of puppies and you deliver one that is not breathing adequately. What drug would the veterinarian instruct to give, and by what route?

Doxapram (Dopram) may be administered on or under the tongue, into the umbilical vein, or by intramuscular injection.

Why are euthanasia solutions that contain only pentobarbital classified as Class II controlled substances, whereas those that contain pentobarbital and other substances are classified as Class III controlled substances.

Some pentobarbital euthanasia agents have a red dye added to distinguish them from pentobarbital agents that may be used for anesthesia. Because these agents are easily identified as euthanasia agents, they have less potential for abuse.

All psychotherapy drugs are thought to produce their effects by altering __________ activity in the brain.

Neurotransmitter

Dissociative agents, such as ketamine and tiletamine, may cause _____________ at the injection site.

Burning

A hypnotic (anesthetic) known for its very short duration and its white color is ____________.

Propofol

An inhibitory neurotransmitter that is widely distributed in the brain is ____________.

GABA

A benzodiazepine that is used as an anti-anxiety medication and as an appetite stimulant in cats is __________.

Diazepam

An example of a tricyclic antidepressant used in veterinary medicine for separation anxiety in dogs is __________.

Clomicalm

____________ is used to treat old dog dementia.

Anipryl

The nervous system carries out activity very rapidly by sending electric-like messages over a network of nerve fibers. The _________ system works much more slowly by sending chemical messengers through the bloodstream to target structures.

b. endocrine

The ___________ nervous system is under voluntary control.

a. somatic

b. autonomic

a. somatic

The __________ is the fundamental unit of the nervous system.

a. hepatocyte

b. nephron

c. beta cell

d. neuron

d. neuron

Axons carry electric-like messages ___________ (from) the nerve cell, and dendrites carry electric-like messages ____________ (from) the nerve cell.

a. away;toward

b.toward;away

a. away;toward

Neurotransmitters cannot be mimicked or blocked by the used of appropriate drugs, and that is why patients with nervous system disorders do not have a very good prognosis.

a. True

b. False

b. False

The ANS is the portion of the nervous system that controls ___________ body activities.

a. conscious

b. unconscious

b. unconscious

The neurotransmitter for cholinergic sites is __________.

a. atropine

b. scopolamine

c. pralidoxime

d. acetylcholine

d. acetylcholine

Epinephrine (adrenaline) is responsible for all of the following except ______________.

a. can cause an increase in metabolic rate

b. can cause an increase in heart rate and cardiac output

c. communication with stem cells in the bone marrow

d. can constrict blood vessels in the skin

c. communication with stem cells in the bone marrow

Xylazine is antagonized by ____________.

a. hemp

b. detomidine HC1

c. Valium

d. yohimbine

d. yohimbine

All the following are benzodiazepines except _________.

a. yohimbine

b. diazepam

c. alprazolam

d. lorazepam

a. yohimbine

What is a reflex arc?

-receptor

-sensory neuron

-synapse to CNS

-motor neuron

-effector

What does the PRE- and POST- ganglionic fibers of the Parasympathetic NS and the Sympathetic NS release?

PSNS-

Pre and Postganglionic fibers both release acetylcholine

SNS-

Pre- Acetylcholine

Post- Norepinephrine and Epinephrine

Is the SNS adrenergic or cholinergic? Is the PSNS adrenergic or cholinergic?

SNS - adrenergic

PSNS- cholinergic

What are all 5 neurotransmitters?

-Acetylcholine

-Norepinephrine

-Dopamine

-Serotonin

-Gamma aminoburytic acid (GABA)

What are the receptors of the SNS (adrenergic)?

alpha-1, alpha-2, beta-1, beta-2

What are the adrenergic drug effects of alpha-1 and alpha-2? What are the effects of beta-1 and beta-2?

alpha-1 increases force of heart contraction, increases blood pressure and causes mydriasis

alpha-2 inhibits re lease of norepinephrine and dilates blood vessels, producing hypotension

beta-1 increases heart rate and force of heart contraction

beta-2 dilates bronchioles and relaxes GI tract

What are the receptors of the PSNS (cholinergic)?

-Nictotine

-Muscarinic

What are the 5 categories of NS drugs?

1. ANS agents

2. CNS agents

3. Miscellaneous

4. Behavioral agents

5. Euthanasia agents