1
Pharm Module 2 Notes – Quiz Notes
* Prototype Medication Name - Prototype Medication Class
o Levodopa - Dopaminergic Drugs
o Carbidopa - Dopaminergic Drugs
o Donepezil- Cholinesterase Inhibitors
o Memantine - NMDA Receptor Antagonists
o Interferon beta - Immunomodulators
o Phenytoin - Traditional Antiepileptic Agents
o Oxcarbazepine - Newer Antiepileptic Agents
o Baclofen - Centrally Acting Muscle Relaxer for Spasticity
o Cyclobenzaprine - Centrally Acting Muscle Relaxer for Localized Muscle Spasm
o Amphetamine sulfate - Amphetamines
o Methylphenidate - Amphetamine-like Drugs
o As you begin to learn about these prototype drugs, always consider the following
questions:
1. Why is this drug useful as therapy for a specific condition?
2. How does this drug work to achieve its intended response?
3. What critical actions and assessments should be done before and after
administering this drug?
- Allergies
- Vital signs
4. Which points must be highlighted when teaching clients about this drug?
* Strategies for Learning Medications
o Make charts to compare and contrast the different drug classes.
o Make charts to compare and contrast the different drugs.
o Write out drug flash cards.
o Use time and repetition to space learning.
* Drug cards should include the following info
o Trade and generic name of the drug
o Classification
o The dosage range
o Method of administration
o The desired action
o Therapeutic effects
o Contraindications
o Common/expected side effects
o Nursing implications/Special considerations/Pt teaching
* Remember
o Almost all neuro pharmacologic drugs work by altering synaptic transmission.
o The end result of synaptic transmission is an alteration in behavior of the postsynaptic, or
target cell.
, 2
Pharm Module 2 Notes – Quiz Notes
o The impact of a drug on a nervous system process depends on that drug's ability to
directly or indirectly alter receptor activity on target cells.
o Drugs can do one of two things to receptor function:
• A- they can increase receptor activation (Agonist) or
• B- they can decrease receptor activation (Antagonist).
o The presence of multiple receptor types increases our ability to produce selective drug
effects.
* Remember
o Agonist Drugs INCREASE receptor activation
▪ Drugs that...
- Increase transmitter synthesis
- Promote "super" transmitters
- Promote transmitter release
- Enhance the natural transmitter
- Inhibit transmitter degradation
o Antagonist drugs DECREASE receptor activation
▪ Drugs that...
- Decrease transmitter synthesis
- Impede transmitter storage
- Suppress transmitter release
- Block transmitter reuptake
* Consider this
o When studying a disease process consider this….
▪ What is the disease
▪ Nursing considerations
▪ How does it affect an individual's life/family’s life
▪ Pt teaching
▪ Medications
▪ Common Labs/Diagnostics
▪ Anything peculiar about this disease
* Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s
o Cause a progressive loss of neuron function
o Degenerative disorder of the CNS
o Caused by death of neurons that produce the neurotransmitter dopamine
o Resulting in overactivity of acetylcholine
o S/s:
▪ Tremors
▪ Muscle rigidity
▪ Bradykinesia – Difficulty chewing, swallowing and speaking
▪ Postural instability – Easily lose balance. Fall risk!
* Pharmacotherapy for Parkinson’s
Pharm Module 2 Notes – Quiz Notes
* Prototype Medication Name - Prototype Medication Class
o Levodopa - Dopaminergic Drugs
o Carbidopa - Dopaminergic Drugs
o Donepezil- Cholinesterase Inhibitors
o Memantine - NMDA Receptor Antagonists
o Interferon beta - Immunomodulators
o Phenytoin - Traditional Antiepileptic Agents
o Oxcarbazepine - Newer Antiepileptic Agents
o Baclofen - Centrally Acting Muscle Relaxer for Spasticity
o Cyclobenzaprine - Centrally Acting Muscle Relaxer for Localized Muscle Spasm
o Amphetamine sulfate - Amphetamines
o Methylphenidate - Amphetamine-like Drugs
o As you begin to learn about these prototype drugs, always consider the following
questions:
1. Why is this drug useful as therapy for a specific condition?
2. How does this drug work to achieve its intended response?
3. What critical actions and assessments should be done before and after
administering this drug?
- Allergies
- Vital signs
4. Which points must be highlighted when teaching clients about this drug?
* Strategies for Learning Medications
o Make charts to compare and contrast the different drug classes.
o Make charts to compare and contrast the different drugs.
o Write out drug flash cards.
o Use time and repetition to space learning.
* Drug cards should include the following info
o Trade and generic name of the drug
o Classification
o The dosage range
o Method of administration
o The desired action
o Therapeutic effects
o Contraindications
o Common/expected side effects
o Nursing implications/Special considerations/Pt teaching
* Remember
o Almost all neuro pharmacologic drugs work by altering synaptic transmission.
o The end result of synaptic transmission is an alteration in behavior of the postsynaptic, or
target cell.
, 2
Pharm Module 2 Notes – Quiz Notes
o The impact of a drug on a nervous system process depends on that drug's ability to
directly or indirectly alter receptor activity on target cells.
o Drugs can do one of two things to receptor function:
• A- they can increase receptor activation (Agonist) or
• B- they can decrease receptor activation (Antagonist).
o The presence of multiple receptor types increases our ability to produce selective drug
effects.
* Remember
o Agonist Drugs INCREASE receptor activation
▪ Drugs that...
- Increase transmitter synthesis
- Promote "super" transmitters
- Promote transmitter release
- Enhance the natural transmitter
- Inhibit transmitter degradation
o Antagonist drugs DECREASE receptor activation
▪ Drugs that...
- Decrease transmitter synthesis
- Impede transmitter storage
- Suppress transmitter release
- Block transmitter reuptake
* Consider this
o When studying a disease process consider this….
▪ What is the disease
▪ Nursing considerations
▪ How does it affect an individual's life/family’s life
▪ Pt teaching
▪ Medications
▪ Common Labs/Diagnostics
▪ Anything peculiar about this disease
* Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s
o Cause a progressive loss of neuron function
o Degenerative disorder of the CNS
o Caused by death of neurons that produce the neurotransmitter dopamine
o Resulting in overactivity of acetylcholine
o S/s:
▪ Tremors
▪ Muscle rigidity
▪ Bradykinesia – Difficulty chewing, swallowing and speaking
▪ Postural instability – Easily lose balance. Fall risk!
* Pharmacotherapy for Parkinson’s
