NR.110.203
Pharmacology
Final Exam Review
2025
Reflect: Analgesic Drugs
Pharmacological Action
What is the pharmacological action of opioid antagonists?
Bind to pain receptors and cause a weaker pain response than does a full agonist
Bind to a pain receptor but do not reduce pain signals
Bind to opioid pain receptors in the brain to reduce the sensation of pain
Creates a weak bond to the mu opioid receptors which alters the perception of pain
Adverse Effects
Which of the following are adverse effects of nonopioid analgesic drugs? Select all that apply.
Dysphoria
Anemia
Constipation
Hepatotoxicity
Nephrotoxicity
Respiratory depression
Contraindications of Opioids
Which of the following is a contraindication for opioid analgesic use? Select all that apply.
Constipation
Vomiting
Nausea
Allergy to the medication
Severe asthma
Mild Opioid Agonists
Which of the following are considered mild opioid agonists? Select all that apply.
, Oxycodone
Hydrocodone
Meperidine
Fentanyl
Codeine
Hydromorphone
Strong Opioid Agonists
Which of the following are considered strong opioid agonists? Select all that apply.
Methadone
Meperidine
Morphine
Codeine
Hydromorphone
Oxycodone
Hydrocodone
Fentanyl
Pharmacological Action
What is the pharmacological action of opioid agonist-antagonists?
Bind to a pain receptor but do not reduce pain signals
Creates a weak bond to the mu opioid receptors which alters the perception of pain
Bind to opioid pain receptors in the brain to reduce the sensation of pain
Bind to pain receptors and cause a weaker pain response than does a full agonist
Adverse Effects
Which of the following are adverse effects of opioid analgesic drugs? Select all that apply.
Dysphoria
Urinary retention
Tachypnea
Constipation
Bradycardia
Diarrhea
Respiratory depression
Tachycardia
Pharmacological Action
What is the pharmacological action of opioid agonists?
Bind to a pain receptor but do not reduce pain signals
Creates a weak bond to the mu opioid receptors which alters the perception of pain
Bind to opioid pain receptors in the brain to reduce the sensation of pain
Bind to pain receptors and cause a weaker pain response than does a full agonist
Opioid Analgesics (meperidine, fentanyl, methadone, morphine
oxycodone)
Prepare: Opioid Analgesics
Classification of Opioids
Opioids are classified under which of the following related to their mechanism of action?
Anti-infectives
Immunosuppressants
Antagonists
Agonists
Therapeutic Effect
The therapeutic effect of opioid analgesics is which of the following?
Antidiarrheal
Anti-inflammatory
Analgesia
Antipyretic
Opioid Overdose
,When an opioid overdose occurs, what medication should be administered?
Aspirin
Naloxone
Activated charcoal
Atropine
Self Check: Mechanism of Action
Mechanism of Action
Opioid analgesics are further classified by their mechanism of action of agonists, which bind to opioid pain receptors in the
CNS to alter and reduce the sensation of pain.
Self Check: Naloxone
Naloxone
When patients experience respiratory depression or overdose from opioid agonist, an opioid antagonist needs to be
administrated, which include naloxone and naltrexone.
Self Check: Drug-to-Drug Interaction
Drug-to-Drug Interaction
Please match the correct drug to drug interaction with the resulting possible outcome.
May cause paradoxical reactions, particularly with MAO inhibitors and procarbazine
Meperidine.
May cause opioid withdrawal for dependent patients. Partial-antagonist opioid analgesics
May cause an increase in CNS depressant properties. Alcohol, antihistamines, antidepressants, sedative/hypnotics,
phenothiazines and MAO inhibitors
May decrease the analgesic effects of the opioid analgesic. Nalbuphine
Self Check: Tolerance, Dependence, and Addiction
Physical Dependence, Addiction, and Tolerance
Tolerance of/to opioids occurs when larger doses are required to maintain the same drug effect.
Physical Dependence, Addiction, and Tolerance #2
Physical dependence is when the body adapts to the presence of the opioid.
Reflect: Opioid Analgesics
Main Action
What is the main action of opioids?
Increasing heart rate
Inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis
Inhibiting protein synthesis
Bind to opioid pain receptors in the CNS to alter and reduce the sensation of pain
Patient Conditions
Caution should be taken in giving opioids to which of the following patient conditions? (Select all that apply)
Frequent migraines
Elderly
History of opioid addiction
Anxiety
Respiratory insufficiency
Sleep apnea
Chronic back pain
Adverse Effects
Which of the following are adverse effects of opioids? Select all that apply.
CNS depression
Diarrhea
Constipation
Respiratory depression
, Incontinence
Indications for Use
Indications of use for opioids include which of the following? Select all that apply.
Diarrhea
Paralytic ileus
Treat moderate to severe pain
Diabetes
Cough center suppression
Opioid Education
Opioid education should include which of the following? Select all that apply.
Change positions slowly to prevent orthostatic hypotension
Maintain bedrest
Maintain adequate fluid and fiber intake to prevent constipation
Drink a full glass of water with each dose to prevent choking
Keep a record of pain experience and treatment response
Monitor respiratory rate and call prescriber immediately if it is less than 10 breaths per minute or with any difficulty
breathing
Contraindications
Opioids are contraindicated with which of the following conditions? Select all that apply.
Dysmenorrhea
Severe back pain
Rheumatoid arthritis
Severe asthma
Known drug allergy
Physical Dependence, Addiction, and Tolerance
Drag and drop to match the correct term to the definition.
When there is compulsive opioid use and continual craving and need for effects outside of pain Addiction
relief, (psychologic dependence).
When larger doses are required to maintain the same opioid effect. Tolerance
When the body adapts to the presence of the opioid. Physical dependence
Facts About Opioids
Drag and drop to match the correct facts under the related opioid.
Meperidine –
● Synthetic opioid
● Typically used for migraines and post-operative shivering
● Active metabolite (normeperidine) can accumulate when it reaches toxic levels, therefore not recommended for long
term pain management
Fentanyl -
● Synthetic opioid
● Used for long-term pain management
● Patches should not be used for acute post-operative pain management
● Used to supplement general anesthesia
Methadone –
● Synthetic opioid
● Detoxifying patients addicted to methadone
● Used for neonate abstinence syndrome caused by mothers taking methamphetamine during pregnancy
Morphine –
● Natural opioid derived form the opium poppy plant
● Used for pulmonary edema and pain from a myocardial infarction (MI)
Oxycodone –
● Semi-synthetic opioid structurally related to morphine
Pharmacology
Final Exam Review
2025
Reflect: Analgesic Drugs
Pharmacological Action
What is the pharmacological action of opioid antagonists?
Bind to pain receptors and cause a weaker pain response than does a full agonist
Bind to a pain receptor but do not reduce pain signals
Bind to opioid pain receptors in the brain to reduce the sensation of pain
Creates a weak bond to the mu opioid receptors which alters the perception of pain
Adverse Effects
Which of the following are adverse effects of nonopioid analgesic drugs? Select all that apply.
Dysphoria
Anemia
Constipation
Hepatotoxicity
Nephrotoxicity
Respiratory depression
Contraindications of Opioids
Which of the following is a contraindication for opioid analgesic use? Select all that apply.
Constipation
Vomiting
Nausea
Allergy to the medication
Severe asthma
Mild Opioid Agonists
Which of the following are considered mild opioid agonists? Select all that apply.
, Oxycodone
Hydrocodone
Meperidine
Fentanyl
Codeine
Hydromorphone
Strong Opioid Agonists
Which of the following are considered strong opioid agonists? Select all that apply.
Methadone
Meperidine
Morphine
Codeine
Hydromorphone
Oxycodone
Hydrocodone
Fentanyl
Pharmacological Action
What is the pharmacological action of opioid agonist-antagonists?
Bind to a pain receptor but do not reduce pain signals
Creates a weak bond to the mu opioid receptors which alters the perception of pain
Bind to opioid pain receptors in the brain to reduce the sensation of pain
Bind to pain receptors and cause a weaker pain response than does a full agonist
Adverse Effects
Which of the following are adverse effects of opioid analgesic drugs? Select all that apply.
Dysphoria
Urinary retention
Tachypnea
Constipation
Bradycardia
Diarrhea
Respiratory depression
Tachycardia
Pharmacological Action
What is the pharmacological action of opioid agonists?
Bind to a pain receptor but do not reduce pain signals
Creates a weak bond to the mu opioid receptors which alters the perception of pain
Bind to opioid pain receptors in the brain to reduce the sensation of pain
Bind to pain receptors and cause a weaker pain response than does a full agonist
Opioid Analgesics (meperidine, fentanyl, methadone, morphine
oxycodone)
Prepare: Opioid Analgesics
Classification of Opioids
Opioids are classified under which of the following related to their mechanism of action?
Anti-infectives
Immunosuppressants
Antagonists
Agonists
Therapeutic Effect
The therapeutic effect of opioid analgesics is which of the following?
Antidiarrheal
Anti-inflammatory
Analgesia
Antipyretic
Opioid Overdose
,When an opioid overdose occurs, what medication should be administered?
Aspirin
Naloxone
Activated charcoal
Atropine
Self Check: Mechanism of Action
Mechanism of Action
Opioid analgesics are further classified by their mechanism of action of agonists, which bind to opioid pain receptors in the
CNS to alter and reduce the sensation of pain.
Self Check: Naloxone
Naloxone
When patients experience respiratory depression or overdose from opioid agonist, an opioid antagonist needs to be
administrated, which include naloxone and naltrexone.
Self Check: Drug-to-Drug Interaction
Drug-to-Drug Interaction
Please match the correct drug to drug interaction with the resulting possible outcome.
May cause paradoxical reactions, particularly with MAO inhibitors and procarbazine
Meperidine.
May cause opioid withdrawal for dependent patients. Partial-antagonist opioid analgesics
May cause an increase in CNS depressant properties. Alcohol, antihistamines, antidepressants, sedative/hypnotics,
phenothiazines and MAO inhibitors
May decrease the analgesic effects of the opioid analgesic. Nalbuphine
Self Check: Tolerance, Dependence, and Addiction
Physical Dependence, Addiction, and Tolerance
Tolerance of/to opioids occurs when larger doses are required to maintain the same drug effect.
Physical Dependence, Addiction, and Tolerance #2
Physical dependence is when the body adapts to the presence of the opioid.
Reflect: Opioid Analgesics
Main Action
What is the main action of opioids?
Increasing heart rate
Inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis
Inhibiting protein synthesis
Bind to opioid pain receptors in the CNS to alter and reduce the sensation of pain
Patient Conditions
Caution should be taken in giving opioids to which of the following patient conditions? (Select all that apply)
Frequent migraines
Elderly
History of opioid addiction
Anxiety
Respiratory insufficiency
Sleep apnea
Chronic back pain
Adverse Effects
Which of the following are adverse effects of opioids? Select all that apply.
CNS depression
Diarrhea
Constipation
Respiratory depression
, Incontinence
Indications for Use
Indications of use for opioids include which of the following? Select all that apply.
Diarrhea
Paralytic ileus
Treat moderate to severe pain
Diabetes
Cough center suppression
Opioid Education
Opioid education should include which of the following? Select all that apply.
Change positions slowly to prevent orthostatic hypotension
Maintain bedrest
Maintain adequate fluid and fiber intake to prevent constipation
Drink a full glass of water with each dose to prevent choking
Keep a record of pain experience and treatment response
Monitor respiratory rate and call prescriber immediately if it is less than 10 breaths per minute or with any difficulty
breathing
Contraindications
Opioids are contraindicated with which of the following conditions? Select all that apply.
Dysmenorrhea
Severe back pain
Rheumatoid arthritis
Severe asthma
Known drug allergy
Physical Dependence, Addiction, and Tolerance
Drag and drop to match the correct term to the definition.
When there is compulsive opioid use and continual craving and need for effects outside of pain Addiction
relief, (psychologic dependence).
When larger doses are required to maintain the same opioid effect. Tolerance
When the body adapts to the presence of the opioid. Physical dependence
Facts About Opioids
Drag and drop to match the correct facts under the related opioid.
Meperidine –
● Synthetic opioid
● Typically used for migraines and post-operative shivering
● Active metabolite (normeperidine) can accumulate when it reaches toxic levels, therefore not recommended for long
term pain management
Fentanyl -
● Synthetic opioid
● Used for long-term pain management
● Patches should not be used for acute post-operative pain management
● Used to supplement general anesthesia
Methadone –
● Synthetic opioid
● Detoxifying patients addicted to methadone
● Used for neonate abstinence syndrome caused by mothers taking methamphetamine during pregnancy
Morphine –
● Natural opioid derived form the opium poppy plant
● Used for pulmonary edema and pain from a myocardial infarction (MI)
Oxycodone –
● Semi-synthetic opioid structurally related to morphine
