Drugs that contract pupil of the eyes are called?

Appeared in: HPSSSB Staff Nurse - 2016

Explanation

Miotics are a class of drugs that cause pupillary constriction, a process called miosis.
These drugs are typically cholinergic agents, meaning they mimic or enhance the action of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.
By constricting the pupil, miotics can help increase the outflow of aqueous humor from the eye, which is why they are used to treat conditions like glaucoma.

Option B: Mydriatics have the opposite effect; they cause the pupil to dilate (mydriasis).
Option C: Lozenges are a form of medication delivery, typically for throat irritation, and have no effect on pupillary size.
Option D: Demulcents are soothing agents for mucous membranes, commonly found in cough syrups or throat sprays. They do not act on the eye's pupil.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Pharmacology of Ophthalmic Drugs as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding the difference between miotics and mydriatics is crucial for nurses, especially in ophthalmology. Miotics are a cornerstone in the management of glaucoma as they reduce intraocular pressure by improving aqueous humor outflow.
Nurses must be cautious as administering a mydriatic to a patient with undiagnosed narrow-angle glaucoma can precipitate an acute, painful rise in intraocular pressure—a medical emergency.
What if? If a patient is receiving pilocarpine (a miotic) for glaucoma, the nurse should educate them about potential side effects like blurred vision and difficulty seeing in low light, which are due to the constricted pupil.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key action described in the question stem: 'contract pupil'.
Recall the specific medical terminology for pupillary actions. Pupillary constriction is known as 'miosis'.
Look for an option that relates to this term. 'Miotic' is directly derived from 'miosis', making it the most logical choice.
Evaluate the other options to confirm your choice. 'Mydriatics' relates to 'mydriasis' (dilation), the opposite effect. 'Lozenges' and 'Demulcents' are unrelated to eye function and can be eliminated as distractors.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Pharmacology Nursing Lilley 11e Part 3 pp. 260-262, 258-260

Practise the full HPSSSB Staff Nurse - 2016

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.