Drug Classes Affecting the Autonomic Nervous System

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering Adrenergic and Cholinergic agonists and antagonists, including specific mechanisms, indications, and nursing considerations from the lecture notes.

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

A part of the nervous system review divided into the Parasympathetic and Sympathetic branches that regulate involuntary body functions.

Direct-acting Adrenergic Agonists

Drugs that directly stimulate the adrenergic receptor, with examples including epinephrine and norepinephrine.

Indirect-acting Adrenergic Agonists

Drugs that stimulate the release of norepinephrine from terminal nerve endings, with amphetamine as a primary example.

Mixed-acting Adrenergic Agonists

Drugs such as ephedrine that stimulate adrenergic receptor sites and simultaneously stimulate the release of norepinephrine from terminal nerve endings.

Catecholamines

A group of adrenergic agonists that produce a sympathetic response; includes endogenous types such as epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine, and synthetic types like isoproterenol and dobutamine.

Noncatecholamines

Drugs that stimulate adrenergic receptors and typically have a longer duration of action than catecholamines, such as phenylephrine, metaproterenol, and albuterol.

Epinephrine (Pharmacological Action)

A non-selective sympathomimetic that increases blood pressure via Alpha1, increases heart rate via Beta1, and promotes bronchodilation via Beta2 receptors.

Epinephrine (Indications)

Used for anaphylaxis, anaphylactic shock, bronchospasms, status asthmaticus, cardiogenic resuscitation, and cardiac arrest.

Albuterol

A Beta2-adrenergic agonist used for the treatment and prophylaxis of asthma and bronchospasms by relaxing bronchial smooth muscle.

Adrenergic Antagonists

Drugs that block the effects of adrenergic neurotransmitters at alpha and beta receptor sites.

Alpha1 Blockers

Adrenergic antagonists that promote vasodilation, suppress ejaculation, and reduce contraction of smooth muscles in the bladder neck and prostate; used for BPH symptoms.

Beta1 Blockers

Antagonists that reduce cardiac contractility and decrease the pulse rate.

Beta2 Blockers

Antagonists that cause bronchoconstriction, contract the uterus, and inhibit glycogenolysis, potentially leading to hypoglycemia.

Atenolol

A selective Beta1-adrenergic antagonist used to treat hypertension, angina, and for the prophylaxis/treatment of acute myocardial infarction.

Atenolol Nursing Monitoring

A nurse should monitor blood pressure and pulse, holding the medication if the heart rate is less than $60\,bpm$.

Muscarinic Receptors

Cholinergic receptors that affect smooth muscles and slow the heart rate when stimulated by cholinergic agonists.

Nicotinic Receptors

Cholinergic receptors that affect skeletal muscles.

Bethanechol (Urecholine)

A direct-acting cholinergic agonist/parasympathomimetic used to treat urinary retention and neurogenic bladder by stimulating bladder contraction.

Cholinergic Crisis

A condition caused by an overdose of cholinergic agonists that requires close monitoring of blood pressure, heart rate, and breath sounds.

Cholinergic Antagonists (Anticholinergics)

Drugs that inhibit acetylcholine and can cause effect variations such as bronchodilation, decreased secretions, and increased heart rate at large doses.

Atropine sulfate

A cholinergic antagonist used as a pre-operative medication to reduce salivation, treat bradycardia, and dilate pupils for diagnostic exams.

Anticholinergic Toxidrome

A toxidrome described by the mnemonic: Mad as a hatter (altered mental status), Blind as a bat (mydriasis), Red as a beet (flushed skin), Hot as a hare (anhydrosis/dry skin), and Dry as a bone (dry mucous membranes).