The Central Nervous System(CNS)consists of:
Brain and Spinal Cord
Peripheral Nervous System(PNS) Consists of:
nerves outside of the CNS
Somatic System
Voluntary movement and related sensory function
Autonomic System
Involuntary functions, such as heart rate and digestion
Sympathetic branch
supports the flight or fight response
Parasympathetic branch
supports rest and digest functions
Synapse
communication junction between cells
Neurotransmitters
chemical messengers such as acetycholine, norepinephrine, seratonin, dopamine, and GABA
Many CNS medications can cross the
Blood Brain Barrier
Cholinergic means
acting through acetylcholine
Adrenergic means
acting through the adrenergic receptors
Adrenergic agonists or sympathomimetics
mimics selected sympathetic effects
May support blood pressure
affect cardiac function
open airways
dilate pupils
What do you need to monitor when a patient is taking a Adrenergic agonists or sympathomimetics?
the ordered vitals signs and response
Medications that speed things up or down
Adrenergic agonist
Mimic fight or flight
Example: Epinephrine
- Heart may beat faster
- blood pressure may rise
- airways may open
Adrenergic blockers
black certain flight or fight effects
Example: Beta Blockers
- Slow your hear rate
- lower your blood pressure
Anticholingerics
Block acetylcholine effects( muscle movement, digestion, urination, slows heart rate)
Block acetylcholine effects
Example: Atroprine( used for certain patients with dangerously slow heart rates)
- Less secretions and potentially faster hear rate
Cholinergic drugs
Mimic acetylcholine
example pilocarpine
- more secretions
- potentially slower heart rate
- narrowed airways
Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Pain and fever
Watch liver toxicity
Ibuprofen (Advil)
Ibuprofen (Advil)
Pain, fever, inflammation
Watch stomach bleeding and kidneys
Aspirin
Pain, fever, inflmaation
watch for bleeding and reye syndrome risk in children with viral disease
Morphine, fentanyl
treat moderate to severe pain
watch breathing and sedeation
Naloxone
the reversal medication for opioid effects
Lorazepam(Ativan)
Alprazolam(xanax)
Anxiety relief
Diazepam(valium)
Anxiety, sedation, and other uses
Zolpidem(Ambien)
helps with sleep
Phenobarbital
CNS depressant also used for certain seizures
Phenytoin (Dilantin)
Certain focal and tonic-clonic seizures
Ethosuximide (Zarontin)
absence seizures
Phenobarbital
certain seizure disorders
Lamotrigine(lamictal)
seizures; report new rash promptly