NU 578 - UNIT 2 EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 100% PASS 2026 EDITION
Opioids Drugs - ANS Drugs:
Opioids - MOA - ANS - Bind to "opiate receptors" in the brain, which disrupts the
transmission of pain signals in the CNS.
- Mimic actions of endogenous opiates
(endorphins, enkephalins, dynorphins).
- Primarily activate mu receptors, but also activate Kappa
Opioids - Effect - ANS * Relieve pain & induce euphoria
Also cause sedation, respiratory depression, miosis, constipation, nausea, & suppress the cough
reflex.
Opioids - Uses - ANS - Pain relief
- Cough suppression
- Relief of dyspnea
- Preoperative sedation
1
@2026 EDITION ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
,Opioids - Side Effects - ANS Hypotension
sedation
nausea
itching
miosis
muscle weakness
constipation
Urinary Retention
Biliary Colic
Increased ICP
Treatment of Opioid- Induced Constipation - ANS methylnaltrexone (Relistor)
naloxegol (Movantik)
Blocks opioid receptors in the GI tract
* Does not cross blood-brain barrier, so does not reverse analgesia
Opioids - Drug Interactions - ANS CNS depressants!
Anticholinergics
Drugs that lower BP
Opioids - Contraindications/Warnings - ANS Decreased respiratory reserve
Labor and delivery
Inflammatory Bowel disease
Head Injury
2
@2026 EDITION ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
, Opioids - Patient Educaiton - ANS
Opioid toxicity - ANS 3 signs:
- coma
- pinpoint pupils
- respiratory depression - may be fatal!
Tolerance - ANS a state in which a drug user needs larger amounts of the drug to produce the
same effect on the body
Physical Dependence - ANS A state in which an abstinence syndrome will occur if drug use is
abruptly stopped
Abuse - ANS drug use that is inconsistent with medical or social norms
Addiction - ANS disease characterized by and individual pathologically pursuing rewards and
relief by substance use and other behaviors
Full opioid agonists - ANS - Good for severe pain
- May give a feeling of euphoria
Example: Morphin, codeine, hydromorphone
Partial opioid agonists (Agonist-antagonist) - ANS - Good for moderate pain
- May act as antagonists at some receptors and
precipitate withdrawal.
Example: pentazocine, Suboxone, buprenorphine, nalbuphine
3
@2026 EDITION ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
ANSWERS 100% PASS 2026 EDITION
Opioids Drugs - ANS Drugs:
Opioids - MOA - ANS - Bind to "opiate receptors" in the brain, which disrupts the
transmission of pain signals in the CNS.
- Mimic actions of endogenous opiates
(endorphins, enkephalins, dynorphins).
- Primarily activate mu receptors, but also activate Kappa
Opioids - Effect - ANS * Relieve pain & induce euphoria
Also cause sedation, respiratory depression, miosis, constipation, nausea, & suppress the cough
reflex.
Opioids - Uses - ANS - Pain relief
- Cough suppression
- Relief of dyspnea
- Preoperative sedation
1
@2026 EDITION ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
,Opioids - Side Effects - ANS Hypotension
sedation
nausea
itching
miosis
muscle weakness
constipation
Urinary Retention
Biliary Colic
Increased ICP
Treatment of Opioid- Induced Constipation - ANS methylnaltrexone (Relistor)
naloxegol (Movantik)
Blocks opioid receptors in the GI tract
* Does not cross blood-brain barrier, so does not reverse analgesia
Opioids - Drug Interactions - ANS CNS depressants!
Anticholinergics
Drugs that lower BP
Opioids - Contraindications/Warnings - ANS Decreased respiratory reserve
Labor and delivery
Inflammatory Bowel disease
Head Injury
2
@2026 EDITION ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
, Opioids - Patient Educaiton - ANS
Opioid toxicity - ANS 3 signs:
- coma
- pinpoint pupils
- respiratory depression - may be fatal!
Tolerance - ANS a state in which a drug user needs larger amounts of the drug to produce the
same effect on the body
Physical Dependence - ANS A state in which an abstinence syndrome will occur if drug use is
abruptly stopped
Abuse - ANS drug use that is inconsistent with medical or social norms
Addiction - ANS disease characterized by and individual pathologically pursuing rewards and
relief by substance use and other behaviors
Full opioid agonists - ANS - Good for severe pain
- May give a feeling of euphoria
Example: Morphin, codeine, hydromorphone
Partial opioid agonists (Agonist-antagonist) - ANS - Good for moderate pain
- May act as antagonists at some receptors and
precipitate withdrawal.
Example: pentazocine, Suboxone, buprenorphine, nalbuphine
3
@2026 EDITION ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
