Nursing Psych: Psychopharmacology
(Exam 1)
Adrenergics - ANS create a "surge" of catecholamines (dopamine, adrenaline, noradrenaline)
What do alpha- adrenergics do? - ANS peripheral arteries (vasoconstrict)
What do beta1- adrenergics do? - ANS heart (rate accelerates), increases CO, increases
metabolic needs
What do beta2- adrenergics do? - ANS bronchioles (dilate), coronary arteries (vasodilate),
uterus (contracts)
What are alpha and beta adrenergics combined used for? - ANS used to produce cardiac
stimulation, bronchodilation, increases BP and renal blood flow
examples of alpha and beta adrenergics combined - ANS ephedrine and DOPAMINE
Example of beta adrenergics - ANS ALBUTEROL, dobutamine, epinephrine, an isoproterenol
(Isuprel)
What does albuterol do? - ANS bronchodilator
What does dobutamine treat? - ANS CHF (chronic heart failure)
What are Adrenergic Blockers? - ANS Inhibit the catecholamine "surge" caused by adrenergic
or sympathetic stimulation
What do alpha blockers do? - ANS peripheral vasodilation **can cause shock**
What do beta1- blockers do? - ANS slows heart rate, reduced CO
What do beta2-blockers do? - ANS bronchospasm, coronary vasoconstriction, uterine
relaxation
What are alpha blockers used for? - ANS to treat "adrenergic excess" such as
pheochromocytoma and HTN (hypertension) Crisis (MAOIs)
example of alpha blocker - ANS phentolamine (Rogitine)
, side effects of phentolamine (Rogitine) - ANS can cause heart attack
example of beta blockers - ANS propranolol (Inderal) and Timoptic
What does propranolol (Inderal) do? - ANS treats HTN, angina, tachycardia, reduces anxiety by
decreasing HR and pulse
What does Timoptic do? - ANS treats glaucoma, migraine, and angina
example of alpha and beta blocker combined - ANS reserpine (Serapsil)
What does reserpine (Serapsil) do? - ANS treats HTN
What is Dopamine? What does it cause? - ANS alpha blocker/ beta agonist; causes
tachycardia
What are Cholinergics? - ANS Support the "status quo" by producing acetylcholine or
preventing its breakdown
Examples of Cholinergics - ANS neostigmine (Prostigmin); cholinomimetic (Urecholine);
physostigmine (Pilocarpine; Isopto-sol)
neostigmine (Prostigmin) - ANS an anticholinesterase (enzyme that prevents breakdown of
acetylcholine); used to treat Myasthenia Gravis; increases muscle strength; prevents urinary
bladder distention and ileus
cholinomimetic (Urecholine) - ANS treats Neurogenic bladder (atony); can cause Syncope,
cardiac arrest ("Cholinergic Crisis")
physostigmine (Pilocarpine; Isopto-sol) - ANS a miotic (constricts pupils); reduces IOP; treats
Glaucoma
What do Anticholinergics do? - ANS suppress the "status quo" by lowering acetylcholine
concentration in CNS
What symptoms do Anticholinergics cause? (Anticholinergic response) - ANS Dry mouth, Nasal
congestion, Blurred vision, Urinary hesitancy & retention, Constipation, Retrograde ejaculation
examples of anticholinergics - ANS atropine/scopolamine; propantheline (ProBanthine);
cyclopentolate; Cogentin/Artane
What does atropine/scopolamine do? - ANS used preoperatively, reduces secretions and the
risk of aspiration/ asphyxia
(Exam 1)
Adrenergics - ANS create a "surge" of catecholamines (dopamine, adrenaline, noradrenaline)
What do alpha- adrenergics do? - ANS peripheral arteries (vasoconstrict)
What do beta1- adrenergics do? - ANS heart (rate accelerates), increases CO, increases
metabolic needs
What do beta2- adrenergics do? - ANS bronchioles (dilate), coronary arteries (vasodilate),
uterus (contracts)
What are alpha and beta adrenergics combined used for? - ANS used to produce cardiac
stimulation, bronchodilation, increases BP and renal blood flow
examples of alpha and beta adrenergics combined - ANS ephedrine and DOPAMINE
Example of beta adrenergics - ANS ALBUTEROL, dobutamine, epinephrine, an isoproterenol
(Isuprel)
What does albuterol do? - ANS bronchodilator
What does dobutamine treat? - ANS CHF (chronic heart failure)
What are Adrenergic Blockers? - ANS Inhibit the catecholamine "surge" caused by adrenergic
or sympathetic stimulation
What do alpha blockers do? - ANS peripheral vasodilation **can cause shock**
What do beta1- blockers do? - ANS slows heart rate, reduced CO
What do beta2-blockers do? - ANS bronchospasm, coronary vasoconstriction, uterine
relaxation
What are alpha blockers used for? - ANS to treat "adrenergic excess" such as
pheochromocytoma and HTN (hypertension) Crisis (MAOIs)
example of alpha blocker - ANS phentolamine (Rogitine)
, side effects of phentolamine (Rogitine) - ANS can cause heart attack
example of beta blockers - ANS propranolol (Inderal) and Timoptic
What does propranolol (Inderal) do? - ANS treats HTN, angina, tachycardia, reduces anxiety by
decreasing HR and pulse
What does Timoptic do? - ANS treats glaucoma, migraine, and angina
example of alpha and beta blocker combined - ANS reserpine (Serapsil)
What does reserpine (Serapsil) do? - ANS treats HTN
What is Dopamine? What does it cause? - ANS alpha blocker/ beta agonist; causes
tachycardia
What are Cholinergics? - ANS Support the "status quo" by producing acetylcholine or
preventing its breakdown
Examples of Cholinergics - ANS neostigmine (Prostigmin); cholinomimetic (Urecholine);
physostigmine (Pilocarpine; Isopto-sol)
neostigmine (Prostigmin) - ANS an anticholinesterase (enzyme that prevents breakdown of
acetylcholine); used to treat Myasthenia Gravis; increases muscle strength; prevents urinary
bladder distention and ileus
cholinomimetic (Urecholine) - ANS treats Neurogenic bladder (atony); can cause Syncope,
cardiac arrest ("Cholinergic Crisis")
physostigmine (Pilocarpine; Isopto-sol) - ANS a miotic (constricts pupils); reduces IOP; treats
Glaucoma
What do Anticholinergics do? - ANS suppress the "status quo" by lowering acetylcholine
concentration in CNS
What symptoms do Anticholinergics cause? (Anticholinergic response) - ANS Dry mouth, Nasal
congestion, Blurred vision, Urinary hesitancy & retention, Constipation, Retrograde ejaculation
examples of anticholinergics - ANS atropine/scopolamine; propantheline (ProBanthine);
cyclopentolate; Cogentin/Artane
What does atropine/scopolamine do? - ANS used preoperatively, reduces secretions and the
risk of aspiration/ asphyxia
