135 E2 Cholinergic Drugs

Front 1

1. What are the actions of cholinergic drugs?

Back 1

Cholinergic drugs stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system in the same manner as acetylcholine. Actions include muscle contraction, cognition, secretions and motor activity of the gut, salivary secretion, and gastric gland stimulation. In addition, smooth muscles in the sphincters are stimulated to facilitate the movement of flatus and feces. Cholinergic receptors in the urinary system are stimulated to promote urination, contraction of the detrusor muscle, and relaxation of the urinary sphincter.

Front 2

2. Which neurotransmitter is involved in cholinergic (parasympathetic) stimulation?

Back 2

Acetylcholine is the neurotransmitter involved.

Front 3

3. When a cholinergic drug is administered to treat myasthenia gravis, what is the expected effect?

Back 3

The expected effect is increased muscle strength and ability to swallow.

Front 4

4. What is the difference between cholinergic crisis and myasthenic crisis? How are they treated?

Back 4

Cholinergic crisis occurs when an overdose of cholinergic medications is administered or when excessive amounts accumulate. If not treated early, hypotension and respiratory failure may occur. Cholinergic crisis requires discontinuing anticholinesterase drugs and atropine, and measures to maintain respiration. Myasthenic crisis may present with the same symptoms as cholinergic crisis (extreme weakness and difficulty breathing). Treatment of myasthenic crisis is the administration of more anticholinesterase drugs.

Front 5

5. What is the difference between cholinergic crisis and myasthenic crisis? How are they treated?
Cholinergic crisis occurs when an overdose of ------------ medications is administered or when excessive amounts accumulate. If not treated early, hypotension and respiratory ---------- may occur. Cholinergic crisis requires discontinuing anticholinesterase drugs and atropine, and measures to maintain respiration. Myasthenic crisis may present with the same symptoms as cholinergic crisis (extreme weakness and difficulty breathing). Treatment of myasthenic crisis is the administration of more anticholinesterase drugs.

Back 5

6. What is the difference between cholinergic crisis and myasthenic crisis? How are they treated?
Cholinergic crisis occurs when an overdose of cholinergic medications is administered or when excessive amounts accumulate. If not treated early, hypotension and respiratory failure may occur. Cholinergic crisis requires discontinuing anticholinesterase drugs and atropine, and measures to maintain respiration. Myasthenic crisis may present with the same symptoms as cholinergic crisis (extreme weakness and difficulty breathing). Treatment of myasthenic crisis is the administration of more anticholinesterase drugs.

Front 6

7. What is the difference between cholinergic crisis and myasthenic crisis? How are they treated?
Cholinergic crisis occurs when an overdose of cholinergic medications is administered or when excessive amounts accumulate. If not treated early, hypotension and respiratory failure may occur. Cholinergic crisis requires discontinuing ------------- drugs and atropine, and measures to maintain respiration. -------- crisis may present with the same symptoms as cholinergic crisis (extreme weakness and difficulty breathing). Treatment of myasthenic crisis is the administration of more ------------- drugs.

Back 6

8. What is the difference between cholinergic crisis and myasthenic crisis? How are they treated?
Cholinergic crisis occurs when an overdose of cholinergic medications is administered or when excessive amounts accumulate. If not treated early, hypotension and respiratory failure may occur. Cholinergic crisis requires discontinuing anticholinesterase drugs and atropine, and measures to maintain respiration. Myasthenic crisis may present with the same symptoms as cholinergic crisis (extreme weakness and difficulty breathing). Treatment of myasthenic crisis is the administration of more anticholinesterase drugs.

Front 7

5. When tacrine is given to treat Alzheimer’s disease, what is the desired effect?

Back 7

The expected result is delayed progression of the disease. Improved cognition and a slowing of loss of memory is expected.

Front 8

6. Is a cholinergic drug the usual treatment of choice for urinary bladder atony or hypotonicity? Why or why not?

Back 8

Cholinergic drugs, especially bethanechol, are used to improve smooth muscle contraction of the detrusor muscle and relaxation of the urinary sphincter.

Front 9

7. What are the adverse effects of cholinergic drugs?

Back 9

The adverse effects of cholinergic drugs include decreased heart rate, vasodilation and unpredictable changes in blood pressure, and increased respiratory secretions, and may cause liver disease.

Front 10

8. What are the adverse effects of cholinergic drugs?
The adverse effects of cholinergic drugs include decreased ---------, --------- and unpredictable changes in blood pressure, and increased respiratory secretions, and may cause --------- disease.

Back 10

9. What are the adverse effects of cholinergic drugs?
The adverse effects of cholinergic drugs include decreased heart rate, vasodilation and unpredictable changes in blood pressure, and increased respiratory secretions, and may cause liver disease.

Front 11

9. How are overdoses of cholinergic drugs treated?

Back 11

Atropine is the specific antidote for a cholinergic overdose. Atropine only reverses the muscarinic effects of cholinergic drugs, primarily heart, smooth muscle, and glands. It does not reverse the nicotinic effects of skeletal muscle weakness or paralysis.

Front 12

10. How are overdoses of cholinergic drugs treated?
Atropine is the specific antidote for a ---------- overdose. Atropine only reverses the ---------- effects of cholinergic drugs, primarily heart, smooth muscle, and glands. It does not reverse the nicotinic effects of skeletal muscle weakness or paralysis.

Back 12

Atropine is the specific antidote for a cholinergic overdose. Atropine only reverses the muscarinic effects of cholinergic drugs, primarily heart, smooth muscle, and glands. It does not reverse the nicotinic effects of skeletal muscle weakness or paralysis.

Front 13

11. How are overdoses of cholinergic drugs treated?
Atropine is the specific antidote for a cholinergic overdose. Atropine only reverses the muscarinic effects of cholinergic drugs, primarily heart, smooth muscle, and glands. It does not reverse the ---------- effects of skeletal muscle weakness or -----------.

Back 13

Atropine is the specific antidote for a cholinergic overdose. Atropine only reverses the muscarinic effects of cholinergic drugs, primarily heart, smooth muscle, and glands. It does not reverse the nicotinic effects of skeletal muscle weakness or paralysis.

Front 14

1. What are the actions of cholinergic drugs?

Back 14

Cholinergic drugs stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system in the same manner as acetylcholine. Actions include muscle contraction, cognition, secretions and motor activity of the gut, salivary secretion, and gastric gland stimulation. In addition, smooth muscles in the sphincters are stimulated to facilitate the movement of flatus and feces. Cholinergic receptors in the urinary system are stimulated to promote urination, contraction of the detrusor muscle, and relaxation of the urinary sphincter.

Front 15

2. Which neurotransmitter is involved in cholinergic (parasympathetic) stimulation?

Back 15

Acetylcholine is the neurotransmitter involved.

Front 16

3. When a cholinergic drug is administered to treat myasthenia gravis, what is the expected effect?

Back 16

The expected effect is increased muscle strength and ability to swallow.

Front 17

4. What is the difference between cholinergic crisis and myasthenic crisis? How are they treated?

Back 17

Cholinergic crisis occurs when an overdose of cholinergic medications is administered or when excessive amounts accumulate. If not treated early, hypotension and respiratory failure may occur. Cholinergic crisis requires discontinuing anticholinesterase drugs and atropine, and measures to maintain respiration. Myasthenic crisis may present with the same symptoms as cholinergic crisis (extreme weakness and difficulty breathing). Treatment of myasthenic crisis is the administration of more anticholinesterase drugs.

Front 18

5. What is the difference between cholinergic crisis and myasthenic crisis? How are they treated?
Cholinergic crisis occurs when an overdose of ------------ medications is administered or when excessive amounts accumulate. If not treated early, hypotension and respiratory ---------- may occur. Cholinergic crisis requires discontinuing anticholinesterase drugs and atropine, and measures to maintain respiration. Myasthenic crisis may present with the same symptoms as cholinergic crisis (extreme weakness and difficulty breathing). Treatment of myasthenic crisis is the administration of more anticholinesterase drugs.

Back 18

6. What is the difference between cholinergic crisis and myasthenic crisis? How are they treated?
Cholinergic crisis occurs when an overdose of cholinergic medications is administered or when excessive amounts accumulate. If not treated early, hypotension and respiratory failure may occur. Cholinergic crisis requires discontinuing anticholinesterase drugs and atropine, and measures to maintain respiration. Myasthenic crisis may present with the same symptoms as cholinergic crisis (extreme weakness and difficulty breathing). Treatment of myasthenic crisis is the administration of more anticholinesterase drugs.

Front 19

7. What is the difference between cholinergic crisis and myasthenic crisis? How are they treated?
Cholinergic crisis occurs when an overdose of cholinergic medications is administered or when excessive amounts accumulate. If not treated early, hypotension and respiratory failure may occur. Cholinergic crisis requires discontinuing ------------- drugs and atropine, and measures to maintain respiration. -------- crisis may present with the same symptoms as cholinergic crisis (extreme weakness and difficulty breathing). Treatment of myasthenic crisis is the administration of more ------------- drugs.

Back 19

8. What is the difference between cholinergic crisis and myasthenic crisis? How are they treated?
Cholinergic crisis occurs when an overdose of cholinergic medications is administered or when excessive amounts accumulate. If not treated early, hypotension and respiratory failure may occur. Cholinergic crisis requires discontinuing anticholinesterase drugs and atropine, and measures to maintain respiration. Myasthenic crisis may present with the same symptoms as cholinergic crisis (extreme weakness and difficulty breathing). Treatment of myasthenic crisis is the administration of more anticholinesterase drugs.

Front 20

5. When tacrine is given to treat Alzheimer’s disease, what is the desired effect?

Back 20

The expected result is delayed progression of the disease. Improved cognition and a slowing of loss of memory is expected.

Front 21

6. Is a cholinergic drug the usual treatment of choice for urinary bladder atony or hypotonicity? Why or why not?

Back 21

Cholinergic drugs, especially bethanechol, are used to improve smooth muscle contraction of the detrusor muscle and relaxation of the urinary sphincter.

Front 22

7. What are the adverse effects of cholinergic drugs?

Back 22

The adverse effects of cholinergic drugs include decreased heart rate, vasodilation and unpredictable changes in blood pressure, and increased respiratory secretions, and may cause liver disease.

Front 23

8. What are the adverse effects of cholinergic drugs?
The adverse effects of cholinergic drugs include decreased ---------, --------- and unpredictable changes in blood pressure, and increased respiratory secretions, and may cause --------- disease.

Back 23

9. What are the adverse effects of cholinergic drugs?
The adverse effects of cholinergic drugs include decreased heart rate, vasodilation and unpredictable changes in blood pressure, and increased respiratory secretions, and may cause liver disease.

Front 24

9. How are overdoses of cholinergic drugs treated?

Back 24

Atropine is the specific antidote for a cholinergic overdose. Atropine only reverses the muscarinic effects of cholinergic drugs, primarily heart, smooth muscle, and glands. It does not reverse the nicotinic effects of skeletal muscle weakness or paralysis.

Front 25

10. How are overdoses of cholinergic drugs treated?
Atropine is the specific antidote for a ---------- overdose. Atropine only reverses the ---------- effects of cholinergic drugs, primarily heart, smooth muscle, and glands. It does not reverse the nicotinic effects of skeletal muscle weakness or paralysis.

Back 25

Atropine is the specific antidote for a cholinergic overdose. Atropine only reverses the muscarinic effects of cholinergic drugs, primarily heart, smooth muscle, and glands. It does not reverse the nicotinic effects of skeletal muscle weakness or paralysis.

Front 26

11. How are overdoses of cholinergic drugs treated?
Atropine is the specific antidote for a cholinergic overdose. Atropine only reverses the muscarinic effects of cholinergic drugs, primarily heart, smooth muscle, and glands. It does not reverse the ---------- effects of skeletal muscle weakness or -----------.

Back 26

Atropine is the specific antidote for a cholinergic overdose. Atropine only reverses the muscarinic effects of cholinergic drugs, primarily heart, smooth muscle, and glands. It does not reverse the nicotinic effects of skeletal muscle weakness or paralysis.