Untitled Flashcards Set

Here’s a fully organized list of pain medications with nursing considerations and body systems affected, making it easy to convert into flashcards.

1. Non-Opioid Analgesics

A. Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

• Mechanism: Inhibits prostaglandin synthesis (centrally acting, not anti-inflammatory)

• Uses: Mild to moderate pain, fever

• Side Effects: Hepatotoxicity (liver damage) with overdose

• Antidote: Acetylcysteine (Mucomyst)

• Max Dose: 4g/day (3g/day preferred in chronic use)

🟢 Body Systems Affected:

• Hepatic (Liver) – Risk of toxicity

🔹 Nursing Considerations:

• Monitor liver function tests (LFTs) (AST, ALT)

• Educate about avoiding alcohol (↑ liver toxicity)

• Be aware of combination products (cold meds often contain acetaminophen)

B. NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs)

1. Traditional NSAIDs (COX-1 & COX-2 Inhibitors)

• Examples: Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Ketorolac (Toradol), Indomethacin

• Uses: Mild to moderate pain, inflammation, fever

• Side Effects: GI bleeding, ulcers, kidney damage, increased BP

• Contraindications: Peptic ulcer disease, kidney disease, cardiovascular risk

🟢 Body Systems Affected:

• Gastrointestinal (GI): Ulcer risk

• Renal (Kidneys): Can cause damage

• Cardiovascular (Heart & Blood Vessels): Increases BP

🔹 Nursing Considerations:

• Give with food to reduce GI irritation

• Monitor for signs of bleeding (black stools, coffee-ground emesis)

• Assess renal function (BUN, creatinine)

2. Selective COX-2 Inhibitor

• Example: Celecoxib (Celebrex)

• Benefit: Less GI irritation but higher cardiovascular risk

🟢 Body Systems Affected:

• Cardiovascular: Risk of heart attack & stroke

🔹 Nursing Considerations:

• Avoid in cardiovascular patients (MI, stroke risk)

• Assess for edema and BP changes

2. Opioid Analgesics

A. Mild to Moderate Opioids

• Examples: Codeine, Hydrocodone (+ Acetaminophen = Norco, Vicodin), Tramadol

• Uses: Moderate pain, cough suppression (codeine)

• Side Effects: Drowsiness, dizziness, constipation, nausea

• Caution: Tramadol has a risk of seizures

🟢 Body Systems Affected:

• Central Nervous System (CNS): Drowsiness, dizziness

• Gastrointestinal (GI): Constipation

🔹 Nursing Considerations:

• Monitor respiratory rate (hold if <12/min)

• Increase fiber and fluids to prevent constipation

• Fall precautions (dizziness, sedation)

B. Strong Opioids

• Examples: Morphine, Hydromorphone (Dilaudid), Oxycodone, Fentanyl, Methadone

• Uses: Severe pain, post-op pain, cancer pain

• Side Effects: Respiratory depression, constipation, sedation, urinary retention

• Antidote: Naloxone (Narcan)

🟢 Body Systems Affected:

• Respiratory: Depression (↓ RR)

• Gastrointestinal: Constipation

• Urinary: Retention

🔹 Nursing Considerations:

• Monitor respiratory rate (hold if <12)

• Administer slowly IV to avoid hypotension

• Assess pain regularly and adjust dosage

• Teach about dependence and tolerance risks

✔ Special Notes:

• Fentanyl: Available in patches (chronic pain), very potent

• Methadone: Long-acting, used for opioid dependence

3. Adjuvant Analgesics

A. Anticonvulsants (Neuropathic Pain)

• Examples: Gabapentin (Neurontin), Pregabalin (Lyrica)

• Uses: Neuropathic pain (diabetic neuropathy, postherpetic neuralgia)

• Side Effects: Drowsiness, dizziness, weight gain

🟢 Body Systems Affected:

• Nervous System (CNS): Drowsiness, dizziness

🔹 Nursing Considerations:

• Monitor for sedation (fall precautions)

• Assess renal function (excreted by kidneys)

B. Antidepressants (Chronic Pain, Neuropathy)

• Examples: Amitriptyline (TCA), Duloxetine (SNRI), Venlafaxine

• Uses: Neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, chronic pain

• Side Effects: Drowsiness, dry mouth, weight changes

🟢 Body Systems Affected:

• Nervous System (CNS): Drowsiness

• Gastrointestinal (GI): Dry mouth

• Metabolic: Weight changes

🔹 Nursing Considerations:

• Monitor mood (risk of suicidal thoughts)

• Taper dose when stopping (withdrawal symptoms)

4. Local Anesthetics

• Examples: Lidocaine (patch, injection), Bupivacaine

• Uses: Localized pain relief, nerve blocks

• Side Effects: Numbness, allergic reactions, systemic toxicity if absorbed too much

🟢 Body Systems Affected:

• Nervous System: Numbness, potential toxicity

• Cardiovascular: Arrhythmias if absorbed systemically

🔹 Nursing Considerations:

• Monitor for toxicity: Confusion, dizziness, seizures

• Avoid applying patches on broken skin

5. Migraine Medications

A. Triptans

• Examples: Sumatriptan, Rizatriptan

• Uses: Acute migraine relief

• Contraindications: Cardiovascular disease (vasoconstriction effect)

🟢 Body Systems Affected:

• Cardiovascular: Vasoconstriction (risk of heart attack/stroke)

🔹 Nursing Considerations:

• Avoid in hypertension, heart disease

• Monitor BP before and after administration