Chapter 31 Pharm

Question 1

Pseudoephedrine

Answer 1

Indications:

• Relief of nasal obstruction and discharge.

Question 2

Pseudoephedrine Onset

Answer 2

30 minutes, peaks in 1 to 2 hours.

Question 3

Pseudoephedrine Assess for:

Answer 3

Cardiac symptoms.

• If anaphylaxis, chest tightness or throat swelling occurs, stop the drug immediately.

Question 4

Pseudoephedrine

Works by:

Answer 4

Acting directly on adrenergic receptors and acts in directly by releasing norephrine from
its storage sites.
• The drug produces vasoconstriction which shrinks nasal mucosa membranes resulting in
decreased nasal congestion.
• It may potentiate the drainage of sinus secretions and can also increase the irritiability
to the heart muscle.
• Rebound nasal congestion with overuse.

Question 5

Dextromethorphan Uses:

Answer 5

Dry hacking nonproductive cough that interferes with rest and sleep.

Question 6

Dextromethorphan Contraindications:

Answer 6

Hypersensitivity

• Atopic syndrome caused by histamine release.

Question 7

Dextromethorphan Teach:

Answer 7

Avoid eating/drinking for 30 min

Question 8

Dextromethorphan Assess for:

Answer 8

Excessive supression of the cough reflex (Inability to cough when secretions are present
• Hallucinations with dosages that exceed recommendations
• Nausea, drowsiness, rash, difficulty breathing

Question 9

Guaifensin How it works?

Answer 9

• Liquiefy respiratory secretions and allow for easier removal. Drugs act by moistening the respiratory tract to make the mucus less tenancious.
• Reduces the viscosity of the tenancious secretions by irritating the gastric vagal receptors stimulating respiratory tract fluid. Increases the volume and decreases the viscosity of respiratory tract secretions.

Question 10

Guaifensin Uses

Answer 10

Productive coughs

Question 11

Guaifensin Assess for

Answer 11

Skin rash
• Headache
• N/V

Question 12

Mucolytics – Acetylcystine

How it works?

Answer 12

Used to liquify mucus in the respiratory tract by attacking the protein bonds of the mucus.
• Exerts its mucolytic action through the sulfhydryl group which disrupts the disulfide bonds in the mucoproteins

Question 13

Mucolytics – Acetylcystine

Uses:

Answer 13

• Liquiefy mucus secretions

* Acetaminophen overdose;

Question 14

Mucolytics – Acetylcystine

Assess for:

Answer 14

Drowsiness
• N/V
• Airway inflammation
• Bronchospasm
• Inhibited cillary function
• Difficulty breathing
• Inability to expel secretions
• Chest tightness