Adrenergic Drugs
These drugs stimulate the sympathetic nervous system by mimicking neurotransmitters like epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine.
What are adrenergic agonists (sympathomimetics)?
These drugs bind to adrenergic receptors but inhibit or block sympathetic stimulation.
What are adrenergic blockers (sympatholytics)?
The drugs stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system by mimicking acetylcholine.
What are cholinergic agonists (parasympathomimetics)?
These drugs inhibit the parasympathetic nervous system by blocking acetylcholine at muscarinic receptors.
What are cholinergic-blocking drugs (anticholinergics)?
When administering adrenergic drugs intravenously, nurses should monitor for this serious complication at the IV site.
What is infiltration or extravasation?
This adrenergic drug is commonly used in the treatment of shock because it increases blood pressure and cardiac output.
What is dopamine?
Beta-blockers that selectively target.
What are cardioselective beta blockers?
This type of cholinergic receptor is found in smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and glands.
What is the muscarinic receptor?
This anticholinergic drug is used preoperatively to reduce salivation and respiratory secretions and as an antidote for cholinergic toxicity.
What is atropine?
This vital sign should be closely monitored when giving beta blockers due to their effects on heart rate and contractility.
What is blood pressure?
This beta-adrenergic agonist is commonly used as a bronchodilator for asthma and COPD.
What is albuterol?
This alpha-blocker is used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) by relaxing smooth muscle in the bladder and prostate.
What is tamsulosin (Flomax)?
This indirect-acting cholinergic drug is commonly used to improve symptoms in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.
What is donepezil (Aricept)?
This cholinergic-blocking drug is commonly used to treat motion sickness and post-operative nausea.
What is scopolamine?
Patient taking cholinergic-blocking drugs should be advised to avoid excessive heat due to their effect on this bodily function.
What is sweating (decreased ability to sweat)?
This nonselective adrenergic agonist is the drug of choice for anaphylaxis, causing vasoconstriction and bronchodilation.
What is epinephrine?
These drugs should not be stopped abruptly, as doing so can lead to rebound hypertension or chest pain.
What are beta blockers?
This cholinesterase inhibitor is commonly used as an antidote for anticholinergic toxicity or neuromuscular blocking drug reversal.
What is physostigmine?
Anticholinergic drugs cause mydriasis, which is this effect on the eyes.
What is pupil dilation?
A patient taking a beta-blocker should be instructed to change positions slowly to prevent this condition.
What is orthostatic hypotension?
Activation of this adrenergic receptor leads to vasodilation in the renal, mesenteric, coronary, and cerebral arteries, increasing blood flow.
What is the dopaminergic receptor?
Nonselective beta blockers should be used cautiously in diabetic patients because they can mask symptoms of this condition.
What is hypoglycemia?
A severe overdose of cholinergic drugs leads to this life-threatening condition, characterized by SLUDGE symptoms (salivation, lacrimation, urinary incontinence, diarrhea, GI cramps, and emesis).
What is cholinergic crisis.
A potential side effect of cholinergic-blocking drugs, especially in the elderly, is decreased ability to regulate body temperature, increasing the risk for this condition.
What is heatstroke?
The antidote for an atropine overdose is this cholinergic drug, which reverses its effects.
What is physostigmine?