HEAC 130
Study Guide Chapters 13, 15 & 16
Chapter 13
1. Name the two division of the autonomic nervous system.
Sympathetic & Parasympathetic
2. List some of the effects when each division of the autonomic nervous system is in control.
Sympathetic – cardiac stimulation, increased blood flow to muscles, pupil dilation
Parasympathetic – increased GI peristalsis, slowing of the heart, constricted pupils
3. Name the four categories of drugs that mimic or block each division of the autonomic nervous
system.
Adrenergics
Adrenergic blockers
Cholinergics
Cholinergic blockers
4. List the effects of these four categories of drugs on the body.
Adrenergics – cardiac stimulation, dilation of pupils, increased blood flow to muscles
Andrenergic blockers – opposite effects
Cholinergics – increase GI peristalsis, slowing of the heart, constricted pupils
Cholinergic blockers – opposite effects
5. List the generic and trade names for drugs in each category that are discussed in class.
Adrenergics - Adrenaline – epinephrine, Ephedrine – ephedrine
Andrenergic blockers – Inderal – propranolol
Cholinergics – Urecholine – bethanechol, Tensilon – edrophonium
Cholinergic blockers – Atropine – atropine, Robinul - glycopyrrolate
6. List some uses of the drugs in each category.
Adrenergics – restoring rhythm in cardiac arrest, elevating BP in shock of all kinds
Adrenergic blockers – hypertention, cardiac arrhythmias, migraine headache
Cholinergics - abdominal distention, open-angle glaucoma
Cholinergic blockers – antispasmodic & antisecretory for GI or GU hypermotility
Chapter 15
1. List the four categories of diuretics.
Thiazides – P.O. - hydrochlorothiazide, HydroDIURIL – causes low potassium and
hypokalemia – k= potassium
Loop diuretics – P.O., IM, IV – work in the nephron loop (Henle’s Loop) –can cause
hypotension
Potassium-sparing diuretics – P.O. – Good when someone has cirrhosis
Osmotic agents - IV
2. How are the four types of diuretics different in regards to how they work?
Thiazides – Increase excretion of water, sodium, chloride and potassium
Loop diuretics – inhibit sodium and chloride absorption
Potassium sparing diuretics – used when potassium depletion can be dangerous
Osomotic agents – used to reduce intracranial or intraoccular pressure
3. Name the reasons for which diuretics are prescribed.
They are used to influence the urinary tract by increasing urine excretion
4. Of the four types of diuretics, which two groups are the most potent?
Osmotic agents & Loop Diuretics
5. List the example drugs given in class for each drug group.
Thiazides – Lozol, Esidrix, Zaroxolyn
Loop Diuretics – Lasix (furoimide), Bumex, Demadex
Potassium-sparing diuretics – Aldactone (spironolactone)
Osmotic agents – Osmitrol (mannitol)
6. Name the common side effects for each group of drugs.
Thiazides – potassium deficiency (hypokalemia), muscle weakness or spasm, nausea,
vomiting
Loop Diuretics – fluid imbalance, hypotension, hyperglycemia, tinnitus, hypokalemia
Potassium sparing-diuretics –potassium deficiency, weakness, dehydration,
hyperkalemia
Osmotic agents – fluid & electrolyte imbalance, CNS symptoms, headache, vertigo,
severe hypertension
7. Name a drug used to treat gout, and describe the cause and symptoms of gout.
ZYOPRIM (allopurinal)
Gout is caused by uric acid crystals building up in the joints or formations of kidney
stones
Benemid is used for gout by blocking reabsorption and promoting urinary excretion of
uric acid by the kidneys
Drink lots of fluids to relieve it
Ice helps relieve it
8. Describe and give an example of antispasmodic, urinary tract analgesic and urinary cholinergic
drugs as given in class.
Antispasmodic (URINIARY TRACT) – Anticholinergic – Detrol (Rx) - causes dry mouth
and urinary retention
Urinary tract analgesic – Pyridium (OTC & Rx) – good for burning w/urination
Urinary cholinergic- Urecholine (Rx) – get bladder to contract
9. What drugs are used to treat benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH)?
Antiandrogens such as Proscar (Pro = prostate) – may take up to 6 months to start
working
andro - man
Chapter 16
1. List conditions for which antacids, anti ulcer, anti-inflammatory, antidiarrheal, antiflatulant,
laxative, chathartic, and antiemetic medications are given.
Antacids – Indigestions – Tum, Maalox, Mylanta (all OTC) – stop stomach acidity – only
take 2 hours between pills, or liquid – NEVER MIX LIQUID WITH TABS!!!
IF YOU TAKE TOO MUCH ANTACIDS, IT CAN THROW OFF YOUR
ELECTROLYTE BALANCE
Anti-Ulcer/GERD – reduce formations of acid in stomach – Tagamet, Pepcid (OTC) –
stronger drugs are Nexium, Prilosec, Prevacid (all Rx)
Anti-spasmodic (DIGESTIVE SYSTEM) – Anticholinergic – Levsin (Rx)
Anti-Diarrheal – Lomotil (Rx), Immodium (OTC)
Anti-flatulance – Mylicon (Rx) – simethicone (when you already have gas)
Laxatives –
Bulk forming – Metamucil, Citrocel
Stool softeners – Colace
Emollient – mineral oil
All OTC
Saline laxative – Milk of Magnesia
Stim-senna – Dulcolax
Osmotic – glycerin suppositories
Anti-Emtics (nausea) – Compazine (Rx), Phenergan (Rx)
Inflammatory Bowel Disease – cramping & diarrhea – Alzulfidine (Rx)
2. List the example drugs given in class for each drug group.
SEE ABOVE
3. Name common side effects of selected drugs.
Tums, Maalox, Mylanta – Constipation, diarrhea, electrolyte imbalance
Tagamet, Pepcid – Diarrhea, dizziness, rash, headache, mental confusion
Nexium, Prilosec, Prevacid – same as above
Levsin – Dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, dizziness, drowsiness, urinary
retention, tachycardia, palpitations, confusion
Lomotil, Immodium – Blurred vision, urinary retention, lethargy, confusion, flushing,
abdominal distention, vomiting
Mylicon – No side effects
Laxatives – Mild transitory GI cramping, rash (bulk forming), seepage of oil from rectum,
causing anal irritation, malabsorption of vit ADEK (emollients), electrolyte
imbalance, CNS symptoms, edema, cardiac renal and hepatic complications
(saline), abdominal cramps, discomfort and nausea, loss of normal bowel
function with prolonged use, electrolyte disturbances (stim-senna), 00 (osmotic)
Compazine, Phenergan – 00
Alzulfidine – Anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, cramps, headache,
weakness, dizziness
4. List any major contraindications to using these drugs.
Tums, Maalox, Mylanta – congestive heart failure, dehydration or electrolyte imbalance
Tagamet, Pepcid – Impaired renal function, liver dysfunction
Nexium, Prilosec, Prevacid – same as above
Levsin – Glaucoma, cardiovascular disease, obstructive GI disease, ulcerative colitis,
myasthenia gravis, pregnancy and lactation
Lomotil, Immodium – Do Diarrhea caused by infection or poisoning, young children
colitis assoc. with antibiotics, ulcerative colitis, cirrhosis
Mylicon – No contraindications
Laxatives – Acute abdominal pain, partial bowel obstruction, dysphagia, esophageal
obstruction (bulk forming laxatives), Children under 5, bedridden, debilitated,
pregnancy, dysphagia, hiatal hernia, prolonged use (emollients), long-term use,
edema, cirrhosis, diurectics, colostomy (saline), acute abdominal pain or
cramping, ulcerative colitis (stim-senna), 00 (osmotic)
Compazine, Phenergan – 00
Alzulfidine – 00
5. Describe any cautions to patients for using these drugs.
Tums, Maalox, Mylanta – NEVER MIX LIQUID WITH TABS, and always wait 2 hours in
between dosages
Tagamet, Pepcid – Watch out for drug interactions
Nexium, Prilosec, Prevacid – same as above
Levsin – Watch out for drug interactions
Lomotil, Immodium – Do not use in infants and older adults, and with bowel obstruction
Mylicon – Infant colic
Laxatives – avoid softeners that also contain stimulant laxatives
Compazine, Phenergan – 00
Alzulfidine – allergy to salicylates, allergy to sulfites, renal and hepatic impairments
Recognize common abbreviations used in medication orders. Refer to handout for abbreviations to be learned.
ac – before meals
ad lib – as desired
b.i.d. – twice a day
c - with
cap – capsules
ER – extended release
h, hr - hour
NG - nasogastric
noc – at night
NPO – nothing by mouth
pc – after meals
PRN – as needed
qh – every hour
q2h – every two hours
s - without
SL – sublingual, under the tongue
SR – sustained release
stat – immediately, and once only
t.i.d. – 3x a day
TO – telephone order
vag - vaginal
vit - vitamin
VO – verbal order
g - gram
Note that gram is always abbreviated g and NOT Gm or gr.