Questions and Answers
What is the drug class of Scopolamine?
What are some side effects of Scopolamine?
Sedation and anticholinergic effects
What is one important piece of patient education regarding sedation effects?
Avoid activities that require alertness.
Which of the following are anticholinergic effects?
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What nursing action should be taken to counteract constipation from Scopolamine?
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In which conditions should caution be used with Scopolamine?
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What should patients avoid while taking antiemetics?
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What effect can concurrent use of antihypertensives have when taken with antiemetics?
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What precautions should patients take to reduce anticholinergic effects?
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What is the role of antiemetics in chemotherapy?
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How should Scopolamine patches be applied for motion sickness?
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Study Notes
Scopolamine Overview
- Scopolamine belongs to the anticholinergic drug class, utilized primarily for its effects on the nervous system.
Side Effects
- Common side effects include sedation and anticholinergic effects, which can lead to discomfort for patients.
Sedation Effects
- Patients should be educated about the sedative effects of scopolamine and advised to avoid activities requiring alertness, such as driving.
Anticholinergic Effects
- Notable anticholinergic effects include dry mouth, urinary retention, and constipation.
- Transdermal administration reduces the intensity of adverse effects compared to oral or subcutaneous methods.
- Nursing interventions include:
- Administering stimulant laxatives like senna for bowel motility issues.
- Encouraging increased fluid intake and physical activity.
- Suggesting patients suck on hard candy or chew gum to alleviate dry mouth.
- Advising patients to void every four hours and monitoring intake and output.
Contraindications
- Scopolamine should be used cautiously in patients with conditions like urinary retention, asthma, and narrow-angle glaucoma, especially when combined with dopamine antagonists or other anticholinergics.
Drug Interactions: CNS Depressants
- Concurrent usage of CNS depressants (e.g., opioids, alcohol) heightens the risk of increased sedation and CNS depression.
- Patients should avoid sedatives, opioids, and alcohol during treatment.
Drug Interactions: Antihypertensives
- Taking antihypertensives alongside scopolamine can enhance hypotensive effects.
- Nursing actions include assisting with ambulation and advising patients to manage postural changes slowly to prevent dizziness.
Drug Interactions: Anticholinergics
- Using anticholinergic medications (including antihistamines) may amplify anticholinergic effects from antiemetics.
- Recommendations for patients include staying well-hydrated, using laxatives, and maintaining a regular voiding schedule.
Drug Interactions: Aprepitant
- Aprepitant may reduce the effectiveness of warfarin and ethinyl estradiol while increasing glucocorticoid levels.
- Nurses should closely review concurrent medications and advise patients to consult healthcare providers before starting new medications.
Nursing Administration of Anti-emetics
- Anti-emetics serve to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting linked to various causes, including chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV).
- Administering anti-emetics before chemotherapy is more effective than treating nausea afterward.
- For motion sickness, a transdermal patch can be applied four hours prior to travel, or an oral tablet can be taken one hour before.
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Description
Test your knowledge on scopolamine and its effects with these flashcards. Learn about the drug class, side effects, sedation effects, and anticholinergic effects. Perfect for students in pharmacology or nursing courses.
