Portage Pharmacology Module 8 Final
Assessment 2025-2026 With Complete
Answers.
What is pain in the context of this module? - Answer It is basic protective mechanism of the
body. The sensation of pain serves as a warning of imminent danger, or that there is something
wrong in the body.
What kinds of meds are used for pain and how do we define them? - Answer Analgesics, they
are defined as meds that relieve pain without causing loss of consciousness.
What is acute pain? - Answer It is sudden in onset and usually subsides when treated. Acute
pain last 6 weeks or less in duration.
What is chronic pain? - Answer It is persistent or recurring and often much more difficult to
treat. It is classified as any pain lasting 3- 6 months or pain lasting longer than one month after
healing of an acute injury.
What is tolerance, withdrawal, physical dependence? - Answer Tolerance is when the body
gets used to the meds, withdrawal is when physical or mental side effects result, this is known
as physical dependence.
What is addiction? - Answer Chronic neurobiological disease in which genetic, psychosocial
and environmental factors induce changes in the individuals behavior to compulsively use drugs
despite the harm they may cause.
What is neuropathic pain? - Answer It is a unique classification of pain and is defined as pain
resulting from a damaged nervous system or nerve cells. Due to its unique origin, neuropathic
pain does not typically respond to traditional pain medications including opioids and NSAIDs
How is neuropathic pain treated? - Answer It is treated with a variety of medications such as
antileisure meds, antidepressants, and new classes of pain meds meant to treat neuropathic
pain.
Define opioid analgesics? - Answer They are synthetic drugs that bind to the opiate receptors
, Define nonopioid analgesics? - Answer Painkillers that do not work on opioid receptors;
NSAIDs, which are large chemically diverse group of drug that are analgesics and also possess
anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activity.
What is fibromyalgia? - Answer A disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain
accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues. It is believed that fibromyalgia
amplifies painful sensations by affecting the way your brain processes pain signals.
What are opioids and what are some examples of them? - Answer They analgesics originating
from the opium poppy plant. The three classes are morphine-like drugs (Phenanthrenes, most
common), meperidine-like drugs (Phenylpiperidines), and methadone-like drugs
(Phenylheptanes).
Why is it important to know the different classes? - Answer Some patients respond better to
some rather than others.
What is the mechanism of action for opioids? - Answer They bind to opioid receptors in the
brain causing an analgesic response. Most opioids used for their analgesic properties are
classified as opioid agonists, meaning they stimulate the receptors. They work on mu, kappa,
and delta receptors.
What is the system devised so that all opioids have a relative potency? - Answer The system of
morphine equivalents. This system is one whereby morphine is the opioid that all other opioids
are compared to in terms of potency. Proper knowledge of potency is critical when these meds
are being used clinically. In order to transition between opioids safely and use the correct dose,
a clinician can use the system of morphine equivalents.
What are the adverse effects of opioids? - Answer Addiction, histamine release leading to
itching, rash, and hemodynamic changes such as flushing and orthostatic hypotension,
respiratory depression, nausea, vomiting, and constipation (opioid receptors in the GI tract
cause slow peristalsis and can cause nausea and vomiting.
Which opioid classes caused the most and the least histamine release? - Answer Morphine-
like drugs cause the most, and meperidine-like opioids release the least amount of histamines.
How are opioid overdoses counteracted?? - Answer With Naloxone or Naltrexone, By the use
of Narcan (nasal spray) or Evzio (auto-injector). They are opioid antagonists and can reverse
respiratory depression.
Assessment 2025-2026 With Complete
Answers.
What is pain in the context of this module? - Answer It is basic protective mechanism of the
body. The sensation of pain serves as a warning of imminent danger, or that there is something
wrong in the body.
What kinds of meds are used for pain and how do we define them? - Answer Analgesics, they
are defined as meds that relieve pain without causing loss of consciousness.
What is acute pain? - Answer It is sudden in onset and usually subsides when treated. Acute
pain last 6 weeks or less in duration.
What is chronic pain? - Answer It is persistent or recurring and often much more difficult to
treat. It is classified as any pain lasting 3- 6 months or pain lasting longer than one month after
healing of an acute injury.
What is tolerance, withdrawal, physical dependence? - Answer Tolerance is when the body
gets used to the meds, withdrawal is when physical or mental side effects result, this is known
as physical dependence.
What is addiction? - Answer Chronic neurobiological disease in which genetic, psychosocial
and environmental factors induce changes in the individuals behavior to compulsively use drugs
despite the harm they may cause.
What is neuropathic pain? - Answer It is a unique classification of pain and is defined as pain
resulting from a damaged nervous system or nerve cells. Due to its unique origin, neuropathic
pain does not typically respond to traditional pain medications including opioids and NSAIDs
How is neuropathic pain treated? - Answer It is treated with a variety of medications such as
antileisure meds, antidepressants, and new classes of pain meds meant to treat neuropathic
pain.
Define opioid analgesics? - Answer They are synthetic drugs that bind to the opiate receptors
, Define nonopioid analgesics? - Answer Painkillers that do not work on opioid receptors;
NSAIDs, which are large chemically diverse group of drug that are analgesics and also possess
anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activity.
What is fibromyalgia? - Answer A disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain
accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues. It is believed that fibromyalgia
amplifies painful sensations by affecting the way your brain processes pain signals.
What are opioids and what are some examples of them? - Answer They analgesics originating
from the opium poppy plant. The three classes are morphine-like drugs (Phenanthrenes, most
common), meperidine-like drugs (Phenylpiperidines), and methadone-like drugs
(Phenylheptanes).
Why is it important to know the different classes? - Answer Some patients respond better to
some rather than others.
What is the mechanism of action for opioids? - Answer They bind to opioid receptors in the
brain causing an analgesic response. Most opioids used for their analgesic properties are
classified as opioid agonists, meaning they stimulate the receptors. They work on mu, kappa,
and delta receptors.
What is the system devised so that all opioids have a relative potency? - Answer The system of
morphine equivalents. This system is one whereby morphine is the opioid that all other opioids
are compared to in terms of potency. Proper knowledge of potency is critical when these meds
are being used clinically. In order to transition between opioids safely and use the correct dose,
a clinician can use the system of morphine equivalents.
What are the adverse effects of opioids? - Answer Addiction, histamine release leading to
itching, rash, and hemodynamic changes such as flushing and orthostatic hypotension,
respiratory depression, nausea, vomiting, and constipation (opioid receptors in the GI tract
cause slow peristalsis and can cause nausea and vomiting.
Which opioid classes caused the most and the least histamine release? - Answer Morphine-
like drugs cause the most, and meperidine-like opioids release the least amount of histamines.
How are opioid overdoses counteracted?? - Answer With Naloxone or Naltrexone, By the use
of Narcan (nasal spray) or Evzio (auto-injector). They are opioid antagonists and can reverse
respiratory depression.
