USA NU 578 UNIT 1 EXAM STUDY GUIDE 2026
FULL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉ Opioids - MOA. Answer: - Bind to "opiate receptors" in the brain,
which disrupts the transmission of pain signals in the CNS.
- Mimic actions of endogenous opiates
(endorphins, enkephalins, dynorphins).
- Primarily activate mu receptors, but also activate Kappa
◉ Opioids - Effect. Answer: * Relieve pain & induce euphoria
Also cause sedation, respiratory depression, miosis, constipation,
nausea, & suppress the cough reflex.
◉ Opioids - Uses. Answer: - Pain relief
- Cough suppression
- Relief of dyspnea
- Preoperative sedation
◉ Opioids - Side Effects. Answer: Hypotension
,sedation
nausea
itching
miosis
muscle weakness
constipation
Urinary Retention
Biliary Colic
Increased ICP
◉ Treatment of Opioid- Induced Constipation. Answer:
methylnaltrexone (Relistor)
naloxegol (Movantik)
Blocks opioid receptors in the GI tract
* Does not cross blood-brain barrier, so does not reverse analgesia
◉ Opioids - Drug Interactions. Answer: CNS depressants!
Anticholinergics
,Drugs that lower BP
◉ Opioids - Contraindications/Warnings. Answer: Decreased
respiratory reserve
Labor and delivery
Inflammatory Bowel disease
Head Injury
◉ Opioids - Patient Educaiton. Answer:
◉ Opioid toxicity. Answer: 3 signs:
- coma
- pinpoint pupils
- respiratory depression - may be fatal!
◉ Tolerance. Answer: a state in which a drug user needs larger
amounts of the drug to produce the same effect on the body
◉ Physical Dependence. Answer: A state in which an abstinence
syndrome will occur if drug use is abruptly stopped
◉ Abuse. Answer: drug use that is inconsistent with medical or
social norms
, ◉ Addiction. Answer: disease characterized by and individual
pathologically pursuing rewards and relief by substance use and
other behaviors
◉ Full opioid agonists. Answer: - Good for severe pain
- May give a feeling of euphoria
Example: Morphin, codeine, hydromorphone
◉ Partial opioid agonists (Agonist-antagonist). Answer: - Good for
moderate pain
- May act as antagonists at some receptors and
precipitate withdrawal.
Example: pentazocine, Suboxone, buprenorphine, nalbuphine
◉ Partial opioid agonists (Agonist-antagonist) Drugs:. Answer:
Pentazocine
Suboxone
Buprenorphine
Nalbuphine
FULL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉ Opioids - MOA. Answer: - Bind to "opiate receptors" in the brain,
which disrupts the transmission of pain signals in the CNS.
- Mimic actions of endogenous opiates
(endorphins, enkephalins, dynorphins).
- Primarily activate mu receptors, but also activate Kappa
◉ Opioids - Effect. Answer: * Relieve pain & induce euphoria
Also cause sedation, respiratory depression, miosis, constipation,
nausea, & suppress the cough reflex.
◉ Opioids - Uses. Answer: - Pain relief
- Cough suppression
- Relief of dyspnea
- Preoperative sedation
◉ Opioids - Side Effects. Answer: Hypotension
,sedation
nausea
itching
miosis
muscle weakness
constipation
Urinary Retention
Biliary Colic
Increased ICP
◉ Treatment of Opioid- Induced Constipation. Answer:
methylnaltrexone (Relistor)
naloxegol (Movantik)
Blocks opioid receptors in the GI tract
* Does not cross blood-brain barrier, so does not reverse analgesia
◉ Opioids - Drug Interactions. Answer: CNS depressants!
Anticholinergics
,Drugs that lower BP
◉ Opioids - Contraindications/Warnings. Answer: Decreased
respiratory reserve
Labor and delivery
Inflammatory Bowel disease
Head Injury
◉ Opioids - Patient Educaiton. Answer:
◉ Opioid toxicity. Answer: 3 signs:
- coma
- pinpoint pupils
- respiratory depression - may be fatal!
◉ Tolerance. Answer: a state in which a drug user needs larger
amounts of the drug to produce the same effect on the body
◉ Physical Dependence. Answer: A state in which an abstinence
syndrome will occur if drug use is abruptly stopped
◉ Abuse. Answer: drug use that is inconsistent with medical or
social norms
, ◉ Addiction. Answer: disease characterized by and individual
pathologically pursuing rewards and relief by substance use and
other behaviors
◉ Full opioid agonists. Answer: - Good for severe pain
- May give a feeling of euphoria
Example: Morphin, codeine, hydromorphone
◉ Partial opioid agonists (Agonist-antagonist). Answer: - Good for
moderate pain
- May act as antagonists at some receptors and
precipitate withdrawal.
Example: pentazocine, Suboxone, buprenorphine, nalbuphine
◉ Partial opioid agonists (Agonist-antagonist) Drugs:. Answer:
Pentazocine
Suboxone
Buprenorphine
Nalbuphine
