p3 ch.32 Drugs Used to Treat Nausea and Vomiting

These flashcards cover the key terms and definitions related to the treatment of nausea and vomiting, particularly in the context of pharmacology for nursing.

Nausea

Sensation of abdominal discomfort intermittently accompanied by a desire to vomit.

Vomiting (emesis)

Forceful expulsion of gastric contents up the esophagus and out of the mouth.

Regurgitation

Rising of gastric or esophageal contents to the pharynx as a result of stomach pressure.

Retching

Involuntary, labored, spasmodic contractions of abdominal and respiratory muscles without expulsion of gastric contents; also called dry heaves.

Vomiting Center (VC)

Located in the medulla, coordinates the vomiting reflex.

Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV)

Nausea and vomiting occurring after surgical procedures.

Chemotherapy-induced Nausea and Vomiting (CINV)

Nausea and vomiting that occur as a result of chemotherapy treatment.

Delayed emesis

Nausea and vomiting that occurs after the initial stages of chemotherapy, often several days later.

Antiemetic

A drug that is effective against vomiting and nausea.

Dopamine Antagonists

A class of antiemetics that inhibit dopamine receptors to help prevent nausea and vomiting.

Serotonin Antagonists

A class of antiemetics that block serotonin receptors to treat nausea and vomiting, particularly in chemotherapy.

Anticholinergic Agents

Drugs that counterbalance excessive acetylcholine thought to cause motion sickness.

Corticosteroids

Steroid drugs used in combination with other antiemetics to relieve nausea and vomiting.

Benzodiazepines

A class of drugs that can reduce anxiety and nausea, often used in conjunction with other antiemetics.

Cannabinoids

Drugs like dronabinol that inhibit pathways to the vomiting center, used for refractory cases of nausea.

Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists

Drugs that block the effects of substance P in the CNS, used to prevent CINV.