flash cards

AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM BASICS

Flashcard 1

Front: Sympathetic nervous system = ?
Back: Fight or flight

  • increases HR

  • increases BP

  • opens airways

  • increases alertness

Flashcard 2

Front: Parasympathetic nervous system = ?
Back: Rest and digest

  • slows HR

  • increases digestion

  • increases urination

  • increases secretions

Flashcard 3

Front: What do adrenergic receptors respond to?
Back: Norepinephrine and epinephrine

Flashcard 4

Front: What do cholinergic receptors respond to?
Back: Acetylcholine

Flashcard 5

Front: Beta-1 receptors mainly affect what?
Back: Heart

Memory trick:
B1 = 1 heart

Flashcard 6

Front: Beta-2 receptors mainly affect what?
Back: Lungs

Memory trick:
B2 = 2 lungs

ADRENERGIC AGONISTS

Flashcard 7

Front: Adrenergic agonists do what?
Back: Stimulate the sympathetic nervous system

Flashcard 8

Front: Expected effects of adrenergic agonists?
Back:

  • tachycardia

  • bronchodilation

  • increased BP

  • increased alertness

Flashcard 9

Front: albuterol (Ventolin), classification + use?
Back:
Adrenergic agonist
Used for asthma/bronchodilation

Flashcard 10

Front: epinephrine (Adrenalin), classification + use?
Back:
Adrenergic agonist
Used in anaphylaxis/emergencies

Flashcard 11

Front: dopamine (Intropin), classification + use?
Back:
Adrenergic agonist
Used in shock/hypotension

Flashcard 12

Front: Common side effects of adrenergic agonists?
Back:

  • insomnia

  • restlessness

  • tachycardia

  • hypertension

  • palpitations

Flashcard 13

Front: What should nurses monitor with adrenergic agonists?
Back:

  • HR

  • BP

  • lung sounds

  • IV site

Flashcard 14

Front: Serious complication from IV adrenergic agonists?
Back: Tissue necrosis from infiltration/extravasation

ADRENERGIC BLOCKERS

Flashcard 15

Front: Adrenergic blockers do what?
Back: Block sympathetic nervous system responses

Flashcard 16

Front: What do beta blockers do to the heart?
Back:

  • slow HR

  • decrease BP

  • reduce workload on the heart

Flashcard 17

Front: metoprolol (Lopressor), classification?
Back: Beta blocker

Flashcard 18

Front: propranolol (Inderal), classification?
Back: Beta blocker

Flashcard 19

Front: carvedilol (Coreg), classification?
Back: Beta blocker

Flashcard 20

Front: Common side effects of beta blockers?
Back:

  • bradycardia

  • hypotension

  • fatigue

  • bronchoconstriction

Flashcard 21

Front: Why are beta blockers used cautiously in asthma?
Back: They can narrow airways and worsen breathing

Flashcard 22

Front: Important patient teaching for beta blockers?
Back: Do NOT stop suddenly

CHOLINERGIC AGONISTS

Flashcard 23

Front: Cholinergic agonists stimulate what response?
Back: Rest and digest

Flashcard 24

Front: Effects of cholinergic agonists?
Back:

  • decreased HR

  • increased urination

  • increased GI activity

  • increased secretions

Flashcard 25

Front: bethanechol (Urecholine), classification + use?
Back:
Cholinergic agonist
Used for urinary retention

Flashcard 26

Front: pyridostigmine (Mestinon), classification + use?
Back:
Cholinergic agonist
Used for myasthenia gravis

Flashcard 27

Front: donepezil (Aricept), classification + use?
Back:
Cholinergic agonist
Used for Alzheimer’s disease

Flashcard 28

Front: Common side effects of cholinergic agonists?
Back:

  • diarrhea

  • bradycardia

  • sweating

  • salivation

  • urinary frequency

Flashcard 29

Front: What does SLUDGE help identify?
Back: Cholinergic toxicity/crisis

ANTICHOLINERGICS

Flashcard 30

Front: Anticholinergics do what?
Back: Block parasympathetic responses

Flashcard 31

Front: Expected effects of anticholinergics?
Back:

  • dry mouth

  • increased HR

  • decreased GI motility

  • urinary retention

  • bronchodilation

Flashcard 32

Front: atropine (AtroPen), classification + use?
Back:
Anticholinergic
Used for bradycardia

Flashcard 33

Front: oxybutynin (Ditropan), classification + use?
Back:
Anticholinergic
Used for overactive bladder

Flashcard 34

Front: dicyclomine (Bentyl), classification + use?
Back:
Anticholinergic
Used for IBS/GI spasms

Flashcard 35

Front: Common side effects of anticholinergics?
Back:

  • constipation

  • dry mouth

  • blurred vision

  • urinary retention

  • tachycardia

Flashcard 36

Front: Important teaching for anticholinergics?
Back:

  • increase fluids/fiber

  • avoid overheating

  • use gum/candy for dry mouth

CNS DEPRESSANTS

Flashcard 37

Front: Sedatives vs hypnotics?
Back:
Sedatives = calm/reduce anxiety
Hypnotics = promote sleep

Flashcard 38

Front: Benzodiazepines increase the effect of what neurotransmitter?
Back: GABA

Flashcard 39

Front: diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), alprazolam (Xanax) classification?
Back: Benzodiazepines

Flashcard 40

Front: Common benzodiazepine side effects?
Back:

  • drowsiness

  • dizziness

  • ataxia

  • CNS depression

Flashcard 41

Front: What antidote reverses benzodiazepines?
Back: flumazenil (Romazicon)

Flashcard 42

Front: Important benzodiazepine teaching?
Back:
Avoid alcohol and other CNS depressants

ANTIEPILEPTICS

Flashcard 43

Front: Goal of antiepileptic drugs?
Back: Prevent abnormal electrical activity in the brain

Flashcard 44

Front: phenytoin (Dilantin), classification?
Back: Antiepileptic

Flashcard 45

Front: Unique side effect of phenytoin (Dilantin)?
Back: Gingival hyperplasia

Flashcard 46

Front: Important nursing intervention for Dilantin?
Back: Monitor therapeutic blood levels

Flashcard 47

Front: Important teaching for antiepileptics?
Back: Do not stop abruptly

PARKINSON’S DRUGS

Flashcard 48

Front: carbidopa-levodopa (Sinemet), classification + action?
Back:
Anti-Parkinson drug
Increases dopamine levels

Flashcard 49

Front: benztropine (Cogentin), classification?
Back: Anticholinergic used in Parkinson’s disease

Flashcard 50

Front: Important Parkinson’s medication teaching?
Back:

  • take medications on schedule

  • change positions slowly

  • increase fluids/fiber