Cardio-respiratory Medicines (307) Flashcards
exam - 11th July
After how long should you test your inhaler?
If you have not used your inhaler for 5 days or more you should test it.
How do you test your inhaler?
- take the cap off
- give the inhaler a good shake
- point the mouthpiece away from yourself
- press the canister to release a ‘puff’
Where can you find out how many test sprays your specific inhaler needs?
The instructions will specify how many test sprays your inhaler needs.
What is the procedure for using a metered dose inhaler (MDI)?
- test it - remove cap, give inhaler a shake, point it away from yourself, and press down
- take the cap off and check there is nothing inside the inhaler mouthpiece
- shake the inhaler well
- sit or stand up straight and slightly tilt your chin upwards (helps the medication to reach the lungs).
- hold inhaler upright with thumb on the base
- breathe out gently, away from the inhaler until your lungs feel empty
- place your lips around the mouthpiece to form a tight seal
- start to breathe in slowly as you press the canister on the inhaler. Breathe in until lungs feel full
- hold your breath for 10 seconds
- breathe out gently
- replace the cap on the inhaler
What are the advanages of using a metered dose inhaler (MDI)?
+ cheap
+ portable
+ compact
+ short treatment time
+ can be used with accessory
What are the disadvantages of using a metered dose inhaler (MDI)?
- requires coordination
- cannot change concentration
- difficult to determine whether the canister is used up
What are common drugs found in a metered dose inhaler (MDI)?
- salbutamol
- beclometasone
What drug is contained in the brown, preventer inhaler?
Beclometasone is in the brown preventer inhaler.
What drug is contained in the blue, reliever inhalers?
Salbutamol is contained in the blue reliever inhalers.
Which conditions are classed as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?
- bronchitis
- emphysema
What is bronchitis characterised by?
Bronchitis is characterised by the inflammation and irritation of the bronchi.
What is acute bronchitis?
Acute bronchitis is one bout, that is usually severe. It is usually self-limiting and due to a viral infection following a cold or influenza. Occasionally a bacterial infection may occur.
What are usually the causative agents of acute bronchitis?
- streptococcus pneumonae
- haemophilus influenza
What are the symptoms of acute bronchitis?
- cough, productive - green/grey
- sore chest + stomach muscles
- sore throat
- wheeze
- blocked nose
- fever
- headache
- aches + pains
What are the treatments for acute bronchitis?
Does not normally require treatment, but reccommendations may include:
- plenty of rest
- drink lots of fluids
- OTC painkillers
- don’t smoke
- antibiotics if secondary infection
What is chronic bronchitis almost always a result of?
Chronic bronchitis is almost always as a result of smoking and/or prolonged exposure to environmental irritants.
How is chronic bronchitis defined?
Chronic bronchitis is long-standing - it is defined as a chronic cough or mucus production for at least three months in two successive years when other causes have been excluded. It is irreversible obstructive airways disease. Development of the condition is compounded by repeated respiratory tract infections.
What are the symptoms of chronic bronchitis?
- cough a lot
- SOB
- thick, sticky sputum
- chest pain
- fever
- fatigue
What can be done to help chronic bronchitis?
- stop smoking
- avoid irritants
- get infections treated ASAP
- flu jab
What medications can be used to treat chronic bronchitis?
- bronchodilators
- antimuscarinic → tiotropium
- steroid therapy
- beta2 agonists → salbutamol (short acting)
→ salmeterol (long acting)
What is emphysema?
- often follows chronic bronchitis
- lungs lose natural tendency to deflate or spring shut - lose elasticity
- bronchial tubes become swollen and inflamed
- alveoli are destroyed and replaced by scar tissue
- lungs become like ‘large floppy balloons’ unable to squeeze out each breath of air properly
What are the symptoms of emphysema?
- SOB on exertion
- cough → productive
- ‘pursed lip’
What can be done to treat emphysema?
- terminal → can be managed
- infections - antibiotics
- steroids
- asthma treatments
- avoid smoking + pollutants
- short-acting beta2 agonist as required → salbutamol
- long-acting beta2 agonist → salmeterol/formeterol/steroids
- short-acting muscarinic antagonist → ibotropium
- carbocisteine
What is another name given to hayfever?
Another name for hayfever is seasonal allergic rhinitis.
What are the symptoms of hayfever?
- runny nose
- watery eyes
- sneezing
What is hay fever an allergy to?
Hay fever is an allergy to grass or hay pollens usually during the spring or summer.
What general treatment is given for hay fever?
Treatment of hay fever involves taking an antihistamine.
What is the process for using a spacer device?
- remove the dust cap
- shake the inhaler - place the inhaler into spacer
- place the spacer device into mouth, do not bite, form a seal with the lips
- press down on inhaler and breathe normally into the spacer.
What is a metered dose inhaler?
MDI delivers specific amounts of medication into the lungs. It is an aerosolised self-administered medicine.
What is atrial fibrilation?
The heart’s upper chambers (atria) contract randomly and sometimes so fast that the heart muscle cannot relax properly between contractions. This reduces the hearts efficiency and performance and the heart does not follow a regular beating pattern.
What are the symptoms of atrial fibrilation?
- tiredness
- not being able to exercise easily due to shortness of breath