Author Question: A patient has a drug order for prochlorperazine (Compazine) for management of nausea and vomiting. ... (Read 53 times)

EY67 · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

A patient has a drug order for prochlorperazine (Compazine) for management of nausea and vomiting. Review the following statements, and select the one that most accurately describes the action of the drug.

a. It blocks the action of serotonin in the brain.
b. It blocks the effects of dopamine in the chemoreceptor trigger zone.
c. It stimulates relaxation of smooth muscle in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
d. It enhances release of acetylcholine at nerve endings in the mesentery.

Question 2

Which of the following extrapyramidal adverse effects is associated with phenothiazine drugs?

a. Sedation
b. Hypotension
c. Opacity of the lens
d. Pseudoparkinsonism

alvinum · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
The phenothiazines, such as prochlorperazine, suppress nausea and vomiting by blockade of do-pamine receptors in the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ).

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
Although unusual when used for nausea and vomiting, phenothiazines have a variety of serious adverse effects, including extrapyramidal reactions such as pseudoparkinsonism, dystonia, aka-thisia, and tardive dyskinesia.