Portage Pharmacology Module 8
Questions With Complete Solution
Graded A+ (2025-2026 Latest
Update)!!!
What is pain in the context of this module?
It is basic protective mechanism of the body. The sensation of pain
serves as a warning of imminent danger, or that there is something
wrong in the body.
What kinds of meds are used for pain and how do we define them?
Analgesics, they are defined as meds that relieve pain without
causing loss of consciousness.
What is acute pain?
It is sudden in onset and usually subsides when treated. Acute pain
last 6 weeks or less in duration.
What is chronic pain?
It is persistent or recurring and often much more difficult to treat. It is
classified as any pain lasting 3- 6 months or pain lasting longer than
one month after healing of an acute injury.
What is tolerance, withdrawal, physical dependence?
Tolerance is when the body gets used to the meds, withdrawal is
when physical or mental side effects result, this is known as physical
dependence.
,What is addiction?
Chronic neurobiological disease in which genetic, psychosocial and
environmental factors induce changes in the individual’s behavior to
compulsively use drugs despite the harm they may cause.
What is neuropathic pain?
It is a unique classification of pain and is defined as pain resulting
from a damaged nervous system or nerve cells. Due to its unique
origin, neuropathic pain does not typically respond to traditional pain
medications including opioids and NSAIDs
How is neuropathic pain treated?
It is treated with a variety of medications such as antileisure meds,
antidepressants, and new classes of pain meds meant to treat
neuropathic pain.
Define opioid analgesics?
They are synthetic drugs that bind to the opiate receptors in the brain
and relieve pain. Opioids are strong and can alleviate pain of any
origin, but should be used with caution as they are highly addictive.
Define nonopioid analgesics?
Painkillers that do not work on opioid receptors; NSAIDs, which are
large chemically diverse group of drugs that are analgesics and also
possess anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activity.
What is fibromyalgia?
A disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain
accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues. It is
believed that fibromyalgia amplifies painful sensations by affecting
the way your brain processes pain signals.
What are opioids and what are some examples of them?
They analgesics originating from the opium poppy plant. The three
classes are morphine-like drugs (Phenanthrenes, most common),
meperidine-like drugs (Phenylpiperidines), and methadone-like drugs
(Phenylethane’s).
Why is it important to know the different classes?
, Some patients respond better to some rather than others.
What is the mechanism of action for opioids?
They bind to opioid receptors in the brain causing an analgesic
response. Most opioids used for their analgesic properties are
classified as opioid agonists, meaning they stimulate the receptors.
They work on mu, kappa, and delta receptors.
What is the system devised so that all opioids have a relative
potency?
The system of morphine equivalents. This system is one whereby
morphine is the opioid that all other opioids are compared to in terms
of potency. Proper knowledge of potency is critical when these meds
are being used clinically. In order to transition between opioids safely
and use the correct dose, a clinician can use the system of morphine
equivalents.
What are the adverse effects of opioids?
Addiction, histamine release leading to itching, rash, and
hemodynamic changes such as flushing and orthostatic hypotension,
respiratory depression, nausea, vomiting, and constipation (opioid
receptors in the GI tract cause slow peristalsis and can cause nausea
and vomiting.
Which opioid classes caused the most and the least histamine
release?
Morphine-like drugs cause the most, and meperidine-like opioids
release the least number of histamines.
How are opioid overdoses counteracted??
With Naloxone or Naltrexone, By the use of Narcan (nasal spray) or
Evzio (auto-injector). They are opioid antagonists and can reverse
respiratory depression.
What two common opioids that are less potent than morphine?
Codeine (II) (Schedule III when combined with other drugs such as
acetaminophen to make Tylenol with codeine or cough syrup) and
Hydrocodone (only available in combination with other drugs) aka
Lorcet when combined with acetaminophen.
Questions With Complete Solution
Graded A+ (2025-2026 Latest
Update)!!!
What is pain in the context of this module?
It is basic protective mechanism of the body. The sensation of pain
serves as a warning of imminent danger, or that there is something
wrong in the body.
What kinds of meds are used for pain and how do we define them?
Analgesics, they are defined as meds that relieve pain without
causing loss of consciousness.
What is acute pain?
It is sudden in onset and usually subsides when treated. Acute pain
last 6 weeks or less in duration.
What is chronic pain?
It is persistent or recurring and often much more difficult to treat. It is
classified as any pain lasting 3- 6 months or pain lasting longer than
one month after healing of an acute injury.
What is tolerance, withdrawal, physical dependence?
Tolerance is when the body gets used to the meds, withdrawal is
when physical or mental side effects result, this is known as physical
dependence.
,What is addiction?
Chronic neurobiological disease in which genetic, psychosocial and
environmental factors induce changes in the individual’s behavior to
compulsively use drugs despite the harm they may cause.
What is neuropathic pain?
It is a unique classification of pain and is defined as pain resulting
from a damaged nervous system or nerve cells. Due to its unique
origin, neuropathic pain does not typically respond to traditional pain
medications including opioids and NSAIDs
How is neuropathic pain treated?
It is treated with a variety of medications such as antileisure meds,
antidepressants, and new classes of pain meds meant to treat
neuropathic pain.
Define opioid analgesics?
They are synthetic drugs that bind to the opiate receptors in the brain
and relieve pain. Opioids are strong and can alleviate pain of any
origin, but should be used with caution as they are highly addictive.
Define nonopioid analgesics?
Painkillers that do not work on opioid receptors; NSAIDs, which are
large chemically diverse group of drugs that are analgesics and also
possess anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activity.
What is fibromyalgia?
A disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain
accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues. It is
believed that fibromyalgia amplifies painful sensations by affecting
the way your brain processes pain signals.
What are opioids and what are some examples of them?
They analgesics originating from the opium poppy plant. The three
classes are morphine-like drugs (Phenanthrenes, most common),
meperidine-like drugs (Phenylpiperidines), and methadone-like drugs
(Phenylethane’s).
Why is it important to know the different classes?
, Some patients respond better to some rather than others.
What is the mechanism of action for opioids?
They bind to opioid receptors in the brain causing an analgesic
response. Most opioids used for their analgesic properties are
classified as opioid agonists, meaning they stimulate the receptors.
They work on mu, kappa, and delta receptors.
What is the system devised so that all opioids have a relative
potency?
The system of morphine equivalents. This system is one whereby
morphine is the opioid that all other opioids are compared to in terms
of potency. Proper knowledge of potency is critical when these meds
are being used clinically. In order to transition between opioids safely
and use the correct dose, a clinician can use the system of morphine
equivalents.
What are the adverse effects of opioids?
Addiction, histamine release leading to itching, rash, and
hemodynamic changes such as flushing and orthostatic hypotension,
respiratory depression, nausea, vomiting, and constipation (opioid
receptors in the GI tract cause slow peristalsis and can cause nausea
and vomiting.
Which opioid classes caused the most and the least histamine
release?
Morphine-like drugs cause the most, and meperidine-like opioids
release the least number of histamines.
How are opioid overdoses counteracted??
With Naloxone or Naltrexone, By the use of Narcan (nasal spray) or
Evzio (auto-injector). They are opioid antagonists and can reverse
respiratory depression.
What two common opioids that are less potent than morphine?
Codeine (II) (Schedule III when combined with other drugs such as
acetaminophen to make Tylenol with codeine or cough syrup) and
Hydrocodone (only available in combination with other drugs) aka
Lorcet when combined with acetaminophen.
