Describe the actions and give examples of analgesics.
What will be an ideal response?
Answers will vary. Analgesics are drugs that relieve pain either by affecting the brain itself or by interfering with the ability of pain receptors around the body to send pain messages to the brain. One large group of analgesics is the narcotics. Along with pain relief, these drugs bring euphoria and a sense of calm; therefore, they are often abused.
Examples of narcotic analgesics are morphine, codeine, oxycodone (OxyContin), meperidine (Demerol), methadone, pentazocine (Talwin), hydrocodone with acetaminophen (Vicodin), and oxycodone with acetaminophen (Percocet). Morphine sulfate and naltrexone (Embeda) is an extended-release drug for pain. Tramadol (Ultram) is a centrally acting analgesic that is not chemically related to opiates.
A common group of nonnarcotic analgesics has the ability to reduce fever (antipyretic) as well as relieve pain. This group includes the familiar drugs aspirin and acetaminophen (Tylenol).
Analgesic antipyretics are often combined with narcotic analgesics or sedatives in prescription pain relievers-for example, Tylenol with Codeine, and Fiorinal (butalbital with aspirin and codeine). Ibuprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Diclofenac potassium (Zipsor) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory analgesic recently approved for treatment of mild to moderate pain such as osteoarthritis and arthritis.
You might also like to view...
A six-year-old boy is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of osteomyelitis of the left femur. The plan of care includes a two-week round of intravenous antibiotics
The father questions why the child must be hospitalized and why the child cannot receive oral antibiotics. The nurse explains: 1. The antibiotic of choice is not available in oral form. 2. Blood flow to bones is limited, and parenteral administration is necessary to get appropriate blood levels. 3. Because the child is older now, it is harder to get the child to cooperate with oral antibiotics. 4. Because two weeks of therapy is necessary, the intravenous route will produce fewer side effects.
The nursing supervisor identified ineffective communication as a problem among the managers. According to Lippitt?s Phases of Change, which is the final stage of the improving this problem?
1. Develop the action and evaluation plan. 2. Determine the role of the change agent. 3. Communicate often to maintain the change. 4. Withdraw from the role of change agent gradually.
The nurse assures the parents of a newborn with congenital heart defect that the home care for their child is eased and supported by (select all that apply):
1. the availability of smaller and more compact equipment. 2. specialized diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) for home care of children. 3. Medicaid-funded care services. 4. home care services funded by private insurance. 5. grants and stipends from various drug manufacturers.
The client has a chronic condition in which the kidney overexcretes calcium. What clinical manifestation should the nurse observe for as a result of this problem?
A. Hypertension B. Dependent edema C. Increased bleeding tendency D. Decreased deep tendon reflexes