Morphine is an opioid that attacks the opioid receptors at the spinal cord, medulla oblongata, the spinal trigeminal nucleus and the grey region. The receptors, which are of µ, α, β types, enhance the interaction of the drug and eventual effects in the human body. Of these receptor types, the µ is the most important for analgesia effects to be realized. There are two µ subtypes: the µ1 and the µ2 (Stoelting 1999). The µ1 subtype is involved in analgesia more than the µ2 since, the second subtype, which is involved more in the respiratory depression. In addition, the µ2 subtype is also involved in mediating bradycardia and physical dependence (Hasslesstrom & Sawe 2001).
The presence of Morphine makes the G-protein active and this is important for it to bind to the receptor. Upon being activated, the G protein alters the permeability at the neural receptors (Chay, Duff, & Walker 2002). When the permeability is affected, neuronal activity is altered through hyperpolarization of the membrane. When neuronal activities stop, analgesia is initiated (Dolin 2000). The opiate receptors at the Central Nervous System are the main areas where morphine attacks. At the brainstem centers, morphine directly affects the respiratory activities, causing respiratory depression that eventually leads to analgesia (Bhandari, Bergqvist, & Kronsberg 2005).
Respiratory depression involves reducing the receptiveness of the respiratory centers, and this inhibits reaction to carbon dioxide increase and electrical stimulation (National Center for Biotechnology Information 2011). Other than analgesia, morphine also affects the cough center, causing depression in the cough reflex. The cough center is at the medulla and morphine penetrates and causes the depr...
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Hasslesstrom, J & Sawe, J 2001, ‘Morphine pharmacokinetics and metabolism in humans. Enterohepatic cycling and relative contribution of metabolites to active opioid concentrations’, Clinical Pharmacokinetics, vol. 40, pp. 344-354.
Health Grades 2011, Morphine, viewed 9 August 2011,
Meldrum, ML 2003, ‘A capsule history of pain management’, JAMA, vol. 290, pp. 2470-2475
National Center for Biotechnology Information 2011, Morphine dependence, National Center for Biotechnology Information, Bethesda, MD.
Stoelting, RK & Miller, RD 2000, Intravenous anesthetics, in basics of anesthesia, Churchill-Livingstone, Oxford, UK.
Stoelting, RK 1999, ‘Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Injected and Inhaled Drugs’, Pharmacology and Physiology in Anesthetic Practice, vol. 3, pp. 1-17.
Prior to intubation for a surgical procedure, the anesthesiologist administered a single dose of the neuromuscular blocking agent, succinylcholine, to a 23-year-old female to provide muscular relaxation during surgery and to facilitate the insertion of the endotracheal tube. Following this, the inhalation anesthetic was administered and the surgical procedure completed.
IV sedation is reserved for our most complicated procedures and patients with very high levels of fear and anxiety. IV sedation creates a sleep-like state that allows you to wake up from a procedure with no memory of the sights, smells, sounds, or sensations that occurred during the treatment. This form of sedation is administered through an intravenous line and only by a licensed
This machine used an intravenous drip which was hooked up to the patient. The IV would start dripping a solution of saline. When the patient was ready they pushed a button and this solution would stop dripping. At this time the machine would release a drug called thiopental, better known as sodium pentothal, a general anesthesia for sixty seconds. After this the patient would be in a coma. A timer would stop the first drug and the release the next one called potassium chloride. This drug will cause a heart attack and the patient will die in their sleep. (Gibbs, McBride-Mellinger; PBS.org.
Rockwell, P.E.,M.D. Director of Anesthesiology, Leonard Hospital, Troy, NY, U.S. Supreme Court, Markle vs. Abele, 72-56, 72-730, 1972. P.11
Opiates are a class of drugs that are used for chronic pain. Opioids are substances that are used to relieve pain by binding opiate receptors throughout the body, and in the brain. These areas in the brain control pain and also emotions, producing a feeling of excitement or happiness. As the brain gets used to these feelings, and the body builds a tolerance to the opioids, there is a need for more opioids and then the possibility of addiction. There are different forms of opioids manufactured such as Morphine, Oxycodone, Buprenorphine, Hydrocodone, and Methadone.
Volles, D. F. (2011, April 11). University of Virginia Health System Adult and Geriatric Sedation/Analgesia for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures. Retrieved May 12, 2011, from University of Virgina Health System: University of Virginia Health System Adult and Geriatric Sedation/Analgesia for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures
Although the comorbidities and type of surgery dictate certain decisions in managing patient care, anesthesiologists maintain various modalities for the perioperative period. These consist of anything from local to regional anesthesia, including neuraxial techniques and peripheral nerve blocks, as well as monitored anesthesia care with sedation to general anesthesia. Overlapping of different anesthetic types and combinations of regional analgesics to supplement general anesthesia occur frequently.
Morphine is a highly addictive opiate psychoactive painkiller. It is often used before or after surgery to alleviate severe pain. Morphine acts by attaching to specific proteins called opioid receptors, which are found in the brain, spinal cord, and gastrointestinal tract. The drug was originally derived from the poppy seed plant before it was chemically enhanced and manufactured. Starting off, the drug was used to cure alcoholism and certain types of addictions.
American Association of Nurse Anesthetists. Professional Aspects of Nurse Anesthesia Practice. Philadelphia: F. A. Davis Company, 1994. Print.
“Pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) can be seen as two sides of the same coin. PK and PD have a definite relationship, assessing how much drug gets to the site of action and then what that action is. Both activities are essential in the complete investigation of the interaction between the drug and body, and play significant roles in both drug development and their continual use in the clinical setting (Institute Of Clinical Research, Clinical Pharmacology Special Interest Group, Pharmacokinetics vs. Pharmacodynamics).”
The body does makes some opiate-like molecules that block pain slows down breathing, which has an overall calming and anti-depressing effect for normal
Thatcher, V.S. (1953) History of Anesthesia, With Emphasis on the Nurse Specialist. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott Company.
Potent pain medication contains the aspects of utilizing medications such as morphine or demerol, how the medications are dispensed, and t...
Webster CS, Merry AF, Larsson L, McGrath KA, Weller J. The frequency and nature of drug administration error during anaesthesia. Anaesth Intensive Care 2001; 29: 494-500.
Aranella, Cheryl, MD., M.P.H. Use of Opiates to Manage Pain in the Seriously and Terminally Ill Patient. American Hospice Foundation, 2006. Web. 7 November 2011.