Nursing Guides: Drugs Affecting the Central Nervous System

To better understand how certain medications affect the central nervous system a nurse must first understand some key points to the central nervous systems.

Central - brain and spinal cord

Peripheral - all nervous tissue outside the central nervous system

• Somatic - voluntary control: skeletal muscles

• Autonomic - involuntary control: smooth cardiac muscles

Sympathetic - speeds up, think fight or flight, this is activated under stress.

Parasympathetic - slows down, think rest or digest, this is activated under non stressful situations.

Sympathomimetics- are also called adrenergic agents. Sympathomimetics stimulate sympathetic NS, in other words a fight or flight response (speeds up), these types of medications are mostly used for their effect on the nasal passages, bronchial tree and heart. These medications can be specific to dry up nasal secretions or to stimulate the heart rate others are nonspecific and cause stimulation for many organs.

Parasympathometics- These medications are not used as common as other categories of medications. These are used to treat urinary retention and stimulate the smooth muscles of the urinary tract and the bowels. Parasympathometics stimulate the rest and digest response.

Anticholinergics- these types of medications "block" cholinergic response which then cause the fight or flight response there are two important side effects a nurse needs to take note of with these types of medication urinary retention and tachycardia.

Adrenergic Blockers - these types of medication block sympathetic response and have the same response as parasympathometics. They are used to treat hypertension and arrhythmias. These types of medications are also known as beta blockers and "LOL" drugs, the "LOL" term comes the drug names ending in "lol" for example atenolol, metoprolol, etc.

As a student nurse you will learn there is various patient teaching that comes along with autonomic medications that you will be required to share with your clients to aid them.

• Report any palpitations, shortness of breath or any chances in blood pressure

• Notify your health care provider if you have a thyroid problem, hypertension, or arrhythmia exists

• Do not take any over the counter medications or sinus medications without first seeking medications advice as these medications may also contain adrenergic agents.

• Move slowly when changing from sitting to standing position, or laying position to standing position to avoid becoming dizziness or possibly fainting.

• Maintaining good oral care is very important

• To relieve dry mouth chewing gum or sucking on hard candy may help

• If taking Adrenergic Blockers do not discontinue these types of medications abruptly this can result in htsn or chest pain.