Opioid Analgesics & Antagonists Vocabulary

Flashcards covering key vocabulary, prototype drugs, mechanisms of action, drug interactions, and NCLEX priority concerns for opioid agonists, agonist-antagonists, and antagonists.

Opioid Agonists

A category of pain medications that bind primarily to mu (μ) receptors in the central nervous system to mimic natural opioids, producing analgesia, sedation, euphoria, and respiratory depression.

Morphine

The prototype opioid agonist medication that activates mu (μ) receptors to provide analgesia for moderate to severe pain, with respiratory depression as its most critical adverse effect.

Mu (μ) Receptors

Receptors in the central nervous system bound primarily by opioid agonists like morphine to produce pain relief, sedation, euphoria, and respiratory depression.

Opioid Agonist Respiratory Rate Rule

The priority NCLEX nursing protocol requiring the nurse to withhold an opioid agonist if the patient's respiratory rate is $\text{RR} < 12/\text{minute}$.

Opioid Interactions with CNS Depressants

The combination of opioid agonists with CNS depressants, which causes increased sedation and elevates the risk of dangerous respiratory depression.

Opioid Interactions with Anticholinergics

The drug interaction between opioids and anticholinergic medications that exacerbates constipation and urinary retention.

Opioid Agonist-Antagonists

Medications with mixed partial agonist and antagonist actions on mu and kappa receptors that produce analgesia with a lower risk of respiratory depression compared to full agonists.

Butorphanol and Buprenorphine

Prototype opioid agonist-antagonist medications used for moderate to severe pain, labor pain management, and as an alternative treatment for opioid addiction.

Precipitated Withdrawal

Acute opioid withdrawal triggered when an opioid agonist-antagonist or antagonist is administered to an opioid-dependent patient.

Opioid Antagonists

A category of medications that block opioid receptors, reversing the effects of opioid agonists and treating opioid overdose.

Naloxone

The prototype opioid antagonist (Narcan) used as an antidote to reverse opioid overdose, respiratory depression, and neonatal respiratory depression.

Recurrent Respiratory Depression

A major NCLEX nursing concern where respiratory depression returns after naloxone wears off, requiring continuous monitoring of the patient's respiratory status.

Abstinence Syndrome

A set of acute withdrawal symptoms that can occur when naloxone is administered to an opioid-dependent client.

R-B-C Opioid Memory Summary

A memory trick for primary opioid agonist effects: R = Respiratory depression, B = Bowel problems (constipation), C = CNS depression/sedation.

S-L-O-W Opioid Adverse Effects Acronym

A memory acronym for opioid side effects: S = Sedation, L = Low blood pressure/orthostatic hypotension, O = Oxygen/respiratory depression, W = Withholding urine and bowel movement.

Opioid Medication Types Comparison

A side-by-side comparison chart summarizing opioid agonists, agonist-antagonists, and antagonists along with their prototypes, mechanisms of action, and major NCLEX concerns.