Analgesics, Anesthetics, and Neuromuscular Pharmacology

A set of flashcards covering key terms and definitions related to analgesics, anesthetics, and neuromuscular pharmacology.

Pain

An unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage.

Nociceptors

Sensory nerve fibers that transmit pain signals from various body regions to the spinal cord and brain.

Pain Threshold

Level of stimulus needed to produce the perception of pain.

Pain Tolerance

The amount of pain a person can endure without it interfering with normal function.

Acute Pain

Pain with sudden onset that usually subsides once treated.

Chronic Pain

Persistent or recurring pain that lasts 3 to 6 months and is often difficult to treat.

Gate Theory of Pain Transmission

A theory that describes how impulses from damaged tissues are sensed in the brain using the analogy of a gate.

Analgesics

Medications that relieve pain without causing loss of consciousness.

Opioid Agonists

Drugs that bind to opioid pain receptors in the brain to relieve pain.

Opioid Antagonists

Drugs that bind to pain receptors and exert no response, reversing the effects of opioid agonists.

Adjuvant Drugs

Medications that assist primary drugs in relieving pain.

Non-Pharmacologic Pain Control

Physical methods such as hot/cold therapy, massage, relaxation, and cognitive-behavioral therapy.

NSAIDs

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that provide analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.

Acetaminophen

A non-opioid analgesic with antipyretic effects but minimal anti-inflammatory action.

Corticosteroids

Strong anti-inflammatory medications that suppress inflammation and can cause various side effects.

Neuromuscular Blocking Drugs (NMBDs)

Drugs that prevent nerve transmission in skeletal and smooth muscle, resulting in muscle paralysis.

Benzodiazepines

CNS depressants used to treat anxiety and induce sedation, affecting the GABA receptors.

Local Anesthetics

Medications that work by blocking sodium channels to prevent pain signals from reaching the CNS.

General Anesthetics

Drugs that induce unconsciousness and lack of responsiveness to painful stimuli.

Muscle Relaxants

Medications used to relieve pain associated with skeletal muscle spasms, working primarily on the CNS.