Asthma Meds Flashcards
What is the primary pathology in asthma?
inflammation
What is the secondary pathology is asthma that we treat?
bronchospams
What drugs do we use to treat bronchospasms?
Beta 2-adrenergic agonists (e.g. albuterol)
-Bronchodilator
-work by relaxing the smooth muscle in the bronchioles
This treats the symptoms not the cause
Classic triad of asthma symptoms?
wheezing
chronic, episodic dyspnea
chronic cough
Associated asthma symptoms (during an attack)
5
- Tachypnea, tachycardia, and systolic hypertension
- Audible harsh respirations, prolonged expiration, wheezing
- Sputum production
- Chest pain or tightness
- Diminished breath sounds during acute exacerbations
During the physical exam of a patient with expected asthma what do we look for? 5
Which of these symptoms would we send the patient to the emergency room for? 4
- Nasal mucosal swelling
- Increased nasal secretions
- Nasal polyps
- Eczema
- Atopic dermatitis
- Wheezing or prolonged expiratory phase
- Body posture
- Accessory muscle use
- Fragmented speech pattern due to difficulty breathing
What is spirometry?
How much air they can completely inhale and how much air they can completely exhale and the rate
What does spirometry include/measure?
FEV or forced expiratory volume at timed intervals.
FVC or Forced vital capacity
FEV1/FVC
Mediators of allergic reactions?
6
- Histamine
- Complement
- Acetylcholine
- Leukotrienes (delayed and more prolonged/asthmatics need help with) and Prostaglandins
- Kinins
- Eosinophils- allergic reaction. call in more cells to fight imflammatory process
MOSTLY focusing on histamines and leukotrienes
Whats the difference between first and second generation antihistamines?
1st generation block the blood brain barrier
BUT some second generation can too. Like Zyrtec will causes sedation
