Question

A 74-year-old woman was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis 1 year ago, but has achieved adequate symptom control through the regular use of celecoxib (Celebrex), a COX-2 selective NSAID. The nurse should recognize that this drug, like other NSAIDs, influences what aspect of the pathophysiology of nociceptive pain?

1) Distorting the action potential that is transmitted along the A-delta (d) and C fibers
2) Diverting noxious information from passing through the dorsal root ganglia and synapses in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord
3) Blocking modulation by limiting the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine
4) Inhibiting transduction by blocking the formation of prostaglandins in the periphery

Answer 1

Celecoxib (Celebrex) is a COX-2 selective NSAID that reduces nociceptive pain by inhibiting the formation of prostaglandins responsible for pain and inflammation, which happens through the blockade of the COX-2 enzyme in the prostaglandin synthesis pathway.

Step-by-step explanation:

The drug celecoxib (Celebrex), a COX-2 selective NSAID, works by influencing the pathophysiology of nociceptive pain primarily through inhibiting transduction. It achieves this by blocking the formation of prostaglandins in the periphery. Prostaglandins are compounds that cause inflammation and pain, and their synthesis is catalyzed by the cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes. By selectively inhibiting the COX-2 enzyme, celecoxib reduces the production of prostaglandins involved in pain and inflammation without exerting strong effects on the COX-1 enzyme, which can lead to gastrointestinal issues associated with non-selective NSAIDs. Therefore, the correct answer to the question of how celecoxib influences the pathophysiology of nociceptive pain is by inhibiting transduction through blocking prostaglandin formation (Option 4).