Question

write a summary paper on patient control analgesia
opioid antagonist
extrapyramidal symptoms of antipsychotics
and neuroleptic malignant syndrome caused by

Answer 1

Patient- Controlled Analgesia

Analgesia refers to the absence of the sense of pain while remaining conscious. Analgesic is any medicine such as aspirin that reduces pain without inducing unconsciousness.

Patient Controlled Analgesia( PCA) is a method of inducing analgesia or pain control, that allows the patient to administer their own pain relief. A computerized machine pump known as PCA pump ( Patient Controlled Analgesia pump) is used in PCA, patient can press the button, when he need a pain relief. The physician or the prescriber can do the programming of infusion.

PCA can be used by terminally ill patients or cancer patients, post operative patients or women in labour. The pump is attached with a tube or IV line that is inserted into patient's vein. The drugs that used in PCA are fentanyl , Morphine, hydromorphone etc.

2. Opioid Antagonists

Antagonist is a chemical that binds to a receptor but doesn't produce a physiological response , blocking the action of agonists chemicals. Opioid is a substance that has similar to Opium effects or Any group of synthetic compounds that exhibit similarities to the opium alkaloids that occur in nature .

Opioid Antagonists are receptor antagonists that act as one or more opioid receptors and block its activation. Nalaxone and Naltrexone are the common opioid antagonists. Nalaxone commonly used in Opioid overdose and for respiratory depression reversal .

3. Extrapyramidal symptoms ( EPS)

EPS are the group of symptoms or movement disorders caused as a side effect of Antipsychotics. EPS include:

a) akathisia ( motor restlessness)

b) dystonia ( difficulty with muscles, its tone and continuous spasms)

c) bradykinesia ( slow movement )

d) Parkinsonism ( muscle rigidity)

e) Tardive dyskinesia ( jerky movement)

Antipsychotics affects Extrapyramidal system ( posture and skeletal muscle controll ) . The common antipsychotics that causes EPS are Haloperidol and fluphenazine. Atypical antipsychotic are having less side effecs like EPS.

4. Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome ( NMS)

A life threatening neurological disorder, exhibiting muscle rigidity, fever, delirium etc. most often caused by an adverse reaction to neuroleptic or Antipsychotic drugs.

Treatment for NMS includes:

* Fever care; reduce the body temperature to normal.

* Discontinue all neuroleptics

* Benzodiazepines to reduce symptoms

* IV fluids for treating hypotension

Early diagnosis can improve the condition of the patient