06 Pain, Inflammation, and Anesthesia Medications Free Online FlashCards

What key distinction separates acetaminophen from NSAIDs?

Acetaminophen relieves pain and fever but does not reduce inflammation.

What serious harm can excessive acetaminophen intake cause?

Excessive total acetaminophen intake can cause severe liver injury. Check combination products for hidden acetaminophen.

How do NSAIDs help relieve pain and inflammation?

NSAIDs reduce prostaglandin production, relieving both pain and inflammation.

What are major safety risks associated with NSAIDs?

NSAIDs can cause stomach ulcers or bleeding, kidney injury, fluid retention, and cardiovascular events.

What additional effect can low-dose aspirin have?

Low-dose aspirin has antiplatelet effects and is associated with clot prevention in selected patients; it can increase bleeding risk.

Why is ketorolac intended for short-term use?

Ketorolac is used for short-term treatment of moderately severe acute pain, not prolonged treatment, because of serious gastrointestinal, kidney, and bleeding risks.

What type of pain are gabapentin and pregabalin used to treat?

Gabapentin and pregabalin are gabapentinoids used for neuropathic pain, such as postherpetic neuralgia; they are not conventional anti-inflammatory drugs.

How do opioid analgesics reduce pain?

Opioids activate opioid receptors to reduce pain perception and may be used for selected cases of moderate to severe pain.

What dangerous effect can result from combining opioids with other depressants?

Opioids can cause life-threatening respiratory depression. Risk increases when they are combined with alcohol, benzodiazepines, or other central nervous system depressants.

What does naloxone do, and why is emergency care still needed?

Naloxone reverses a suspected opioid overdose. Emergency services are still needed because its effect can wear off and repeat doses may be required.

How do local anesthetics temporarily stop pain signals?

Local anesthetics block voltage-gated sodium channels in nerves, temporarily preventing pain signals from traveling.

What important limitation does propofol have as an anesthetic?

Propofol is used for general anesthesia or procedural sedation under trained supervision, but it does not provide reliable analgesia by itself.