Pharmacological Aids to Promote Smoking Cessation

Abstract

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's (Fiore et al., ) clinical guidelines on smoking cessation identified seven medications as first-line drugs which have been shown to promote long-term smoking cessation efforts. These pharmacological agents include five types of nicotine replacement therapies and two specific drugs, Buproprion SR and Varenicline. Key issues that health care professionals should address when caring for individuals who are dependent on tobacco are discussed. Barriers, such as the attitudes and knowledge of the persons who smoke and health care professionals, that impede individuals’ use of medications within their plan of smoking cessation are addressed. Special attention is given to the increase in suicide potential during the process of quitting. The need for nurses and other health care professionals to pursue research to identify the most effective ways of educating themselves to promote smoking cessation with males and females from adolescence through old age, including those with mental health and addiction disorders, is emphasized.

Keywords :

• Tobacco/smoking
• Addiction

Registration Form for Continuing Education Credit

Journal of Addictions 21(2) Nursing CE Credit

Article: Pharmacological Aids to Promote Smoking Cessation

CE Instructions

1. Read the article.

2. Locate the answer sheet and posttest questions following the article.

3. Complete the posttest questions and program evaluation by circling the selected responses on the answer sheet.

4. Fill out the registration form.

5. Send registration form, answer sheet, and a check for $10.00 to:

   Continuing Nursing Education

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6. Send before June 30, 2012

Within three weeks after receipt of your posttest and registration, you will be notified of your results. A passing score is 70%. If you pass, your CE certificate will be forwarded to you. If you do not pass, you will be notified and may repeat the test once at no cost. Note: Approved status refers only to CE activities and does not imply ANCC COA and PA Nurses endorsement of any commercial product.

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Posttest for Continuing Education Credit

Article: Pharmacological Aids to Promote Smoking Cessation

Journal of Addictions Nursing (21:2)

Continuing Education Credit: 1.0 contact hours

1. All of the following statements about smoking cessation are true EXCEPT:

   1. It is considered an extremely difficult challenge.

   2. It requires repeated attempts to be successful.

   3. It is not a priority identified by nurses for their patients.

   4. Patients are encouraged to include a pharmacological aid in their plan.

2. A medication that has been labeled as a second-line drug approved for use to promote smoking cessation is:

   1. Nortriptyline

   2. Amitriptyline

   3. Fluoxetine

   4. Varenicline

3. The process for selecting an appropriate medication for your patient includes:

   1. The nurse’s knowledge and skill in using a specific modality for smoking cessation

   2. The patient’s preference for a specific drug or mode of delivery

   3. The patient’s previous experience with a specific drug

   4. All of the above

4. The tool used to measure the level of a person’s dependence on nicotine is:

   1. Schatzki Ring Test

   2. Fagerstrom Test

   3. Dexamethasone Test

   4. Berman-Miller Test

5. Bupropion SR:

   1. Blocks the neural reuptake of acetylcholine

   2. Reduces cravings but increases the intensity of withdrawal

   3. Increases weight gain associated with quitting smoking

   4. Is contraindicated in anorexia nervosa

6. Withdrawal from nicotine includes all of the following symptoms EXCEPT:

   1. Negativity

   2. Limited ability to concentrate

   3. Cravings

   4. Diarrhea

7. A major role of smoking cessation medications is to help individuals who are experiencing:

   1. Cravings

   2. Anxiety

   3. Irritability

   4. Depression

8. Modes of delivery for smoking cessation products include all of the following EXCEPT:

   1. Buccal

   2. Subdermal

   3. Oral

   4. Nasopharyngeal

9. The use of nicotine replacement therapy while an individual continues to smoke:

   1. Decreases the odds of quitting

   2. Doubles the odds of quitting

   3. Is indeterminant

   4. Has not been studied

10. Varenicline:

    1. May increase craving for smoking

    2. Increases the sense of satisfaction felt when smoking

    3. Can be instituted one week prior to quit date

    4. Can initially cause diarrhea

Answer Sheet for Continuing Education Credit

Article: Pharmacological Aids to Promote Smoking Cessation

Journal of Addictions Nursing (21:2) Continuing Education Credit: 1.0_ contact hours

Purpose: To discuss the use of pharmacological aids to promote smoking cessation including factors which limit the use of these aids. At the completion of the article and the posttest, the reader should be able to;

1. Identify at least five medications identified as first-line drugs used in smoking cessation.

2. Describe the process used for selecting medications for smoking cessation and name at least three factors in selecting a specific medication.

3. Name at least three controversies regarding the use of NRT.

Posttest Answer sheet: (Please circle selected response.)

Select a for true and b for false in true-false questions.

Table

Program Evaluation

Table

How long did this program and posttest take to complete? _________hours.