Advanced Pharmacology For Care Of The Family
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NR566 – Advanced Pharmacology for Care of the Family
Exam Study Guide – Final Exam
Exam Format: Non-Cumulative Exam
Question Type: Multiple Choice
Number of Questions: 100
Time Allotted: 120 minutes (1.2 minutes per question)
Testing Timeframe: The final exam will be available starting on Wednesday Week 8 at 12:01
am MT until Saturday Week 8 at 11:59 pm MT.
1. Exam Coverage
Content Areas:
Week 5: Pharmacotherapy for Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Skin
Week 6: Pharmacotherapy for Mental Health
Week 7: Pharmacotherapy for CNS Disorders
Week 8: Pharmacotherapy for Health Promotion and Weight Loss
2. Key Concepts to Study
Week 5: Pharmacotherapy for Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Skin
Chapter 58: Antihistamines
Antihistamine indications and moa
o Antihistamines are primarily used to treat conditions caused by histamine release
including:
Allergic rhinitis (seasonal and perennial allergies)
Allergic conjunctivitis
Uritcaria (hives)
Pruritic (itching)
Common cold symptoms
Motion sickness
Nausea and vomiting
Insomnia
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o MOA: antihistamines block hitamine-1 (H1) receptors; prevent histamine from
producing sneezing, rhinorrhea, itching, watery eyes, nasal irritation
First-generation antihistamine side effects
o First-generation antihistamine examples: dimenhydrinate (Benadryl),
chlorpheniramine, promethazine, hydroxyzine
o Characteristics: cross the blood-brain barrier, cause significant CNS depression,
possess anticholinergic effects
o Side effects:
Sedation: drowsiness, fatigue, impaired alertness, decreased reaction time
Anticholinergic effects: dry mouth, dry eyes, blurred vision, constipation,
urinary retention
CNS effects: dizziness, confusion, impaired coordination
GI effects: nausea, vomiting
Second-generation antihistamines
o Examples: loratadine (Claritin), cetirizine (Zyrtec), fexofenadine (Allegra),
levocetirizine, desloratadine
o Characteristics: selective for peripheral H1 receptors, minimal penetration of the
blood-brain barrier, less sedation than first-generation agents, longer duration of
action
o Side effects: mild drowsiness, headache, fatigue, dry mouth
o Preferred for allergic rhinitis because they cause much less sedation
Antihistamine lifespan considerations
o Children:
First generation antihistamines: may cause excessive sedation;
paradoxical excitation (hyperactivity, nervousness, insomnia)
Second generation antihistamines: generally preferred, better safety
profile, less sedation, better tolerated
o Older adults:
First generation antihistamines: use with extreme caution; increased risk
of confusion, falls, sedation, urinary retention, constipation
Second generation antihistamines are the preferred choice
o Pregnancy: some antihistamines may be used if needed; risks and benefits should
be evaluated individually
, lOMoARcPSD|70468202
NR566 – Advanced Pharmacology for Care of the Family
Exam Study Guide – Final Exam
Exam Format: Non-Cumulative Exam
Question Type: Multiple Choice
Number of Questions: 100
Time Allotted: 120 minutes (1.2 minutes per question)
Testing Timeframe: The final exam will be available starting on Wednesday Week 8 at 12:01
am MT until Saturday Week 8 at 11:59 pm MT.
1. Exam Coverage
Content Areas:
Week 5: Pharmacotherapy for Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Skin
Week 6: Pharmacotherapy for Mental Health
Week 7: Pharmacotherapy for CNS Disorders
Week 8: Pharmacotherapy for Health Promotion and Weight Loss
2. Key Concepts to Study
Week 5: Pharmacotherapy for Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Skin
Chapter 58: Antihistamines
Antihistamine indications and moa
o Antihistamines are primarily used to treat conditions caused by histamine release
including:
Allergic rhinitis (seasonal and perennial allergies)
Allergic conjunctivitis
Uritcaria (hives)
Pruritic (itching)
Common cold symptoms
Motion sickness
Nausea and vomiting
Insomnia
, lOMoARcPSD|70468202
o MOA: antihistamines block hitamine-1 (H1) receptors; prevent histamine from
producing sneezing, rhinorrhea, itching, watery eyes, nasal irritation
First-generation antihistamine side effects
o First-generation antihistamine examples: dimenhydrinate (Benadryl),
chlorpheniramine, promethazine, hydroxyzine
o Characteristics: cross the blood-brain barrier, cause significant CNS depression,
possess anticholinergic effects
o Side effects:
Sedation: drowsiness, fatigue, impaired alertness, decreased reaction time
Anticholinergic effects: dry mouth, dry eyes, blurred vision, constipation,
urinary retention
CNS effects: dizziness, confusion, impaired coordination
GI effects: nausea, vomiting
Second-generation antihistamines
o Examples: loratadine (Claritin), cetirizine (Zyrtec), fexofenadine (Allegra),
levocetirizine, desloratadine
o Characteristics: selective for peripheral H1 receptors, minimal penetration of the
blood-brain barrier, less sedation than first-generation agents, longer duration of
action
o Side effects: mild drowsiness, headache, fatigue, dry mouth
o Preferred for allergic rhinitis because they cause much less sedation
Antihistamine lifespan considerations
o Children:
First generation antihistamines: may cause excessive sedation;
paradoxical excitation (hyperactivity, nervousness, insomnia)
Second generation antihistamines: generally preferred, better safety
profile, less sedation, better tolerated
o Older adults:
First generation antihistamines: use with extreme caution; increased risk
of confusion, falls, sedation, urinary retention, constipation
Second generation antihistamines are the preferred choice
o Pregnancy: some antihistamines may be used if needed; risks and benefits should
be evaluated individually
