drug therapy for nasal congestion and cough Flashcards
common respiratory disorders
common cold, sinusitis
the common cold affects which part of the body
the upper respiratory tract: mouth, nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea
common cold is what type of infection
viral infection
common cold occurrences
2 to 4 times/year, normal for adults; up to 10 times/ year for schoolchildren
how to viruses invade the body
via mucous membranes; can survive several hours on skin, hard surfaces
antibiotics do not help which common upper respiratory disorder
common cold
sinusitis affects which part of the body
upper respiratory
sinusitis is what
inflammation of paranasal sinuses
what happens in response to sinusitis is the paranasal sinuses
fluid and microbe movement via cilia impeded because of nasal swelling; impairment of movement results in infection
what is the most common cause of sinusitis
rhinitis(runny nose); because blowing nose constantly, inflamed and irritated, fluid gets trapped
what is rhinitis
running nose
T or F. the common cold is caused by many types of bacteria
false; the common cold is caused by many types of VIRUSES (not bacteria)
s/sx of common respiratory disorders
nasal congestion, cough (productive vs nonproductive), increased secretions
nasal congestion happens when
the nasal passages become blocked and swollen from inflamed blood vessels
cough is in response to
irritation or inflammation
productive cough
produces mucus, more secretions
nonproductive cough
dry cough, tickle in throat
increased secretions from (run down throat into bronchi)
allergy, smoking, or after surgery if you have a tube down throat run down throat into bronchi
example meds for nasal decongestants
psuedoephedrine(oral), oxymetazoline(spray), phenylephrine
mechanism of action of nasal decongestants/ stimulate sympathetic nervous system
relieve nasal obstruction and discharge by producing vasoconstriction
contraindications for nasal decongestants
severe HTN, CAD, narrow angle glaucoma, antidepressants(increase effect)
nasal decongestants, USE WITH CAUTION
in cardiac dysrhythmias, hyperthyroidism, DM, prostatic hypertrophy, glaucoma
nursing considerations for nasal decongestions
admin: may take with or with our food/ monitor for cardiac side effects/ do not crush (oral)
patient teaching with nasal decongestants
encourage adequate fluid intake, humidification, avoid caffeine(because it already stimulate SNS), avoid accidental OD, avoid HTN, proper use of nasal spray, do not take longer than package recommendation
why should you not take a medication longer than the package recommendation
spray: use only 3-5 days or else it will cause rebound congestion/ will make you more congested
T or F. sympathomimetic drugs are used to relive nasal obstruction and discharge
true; sympathomimetic drugs are used to relive nasal obstruction and discharge. They relieve nasal congestion and swelling by mimicking the effects of the SNS (which reduces blood flow to nasal mucosa)
examples of meds for antitussives (cough medicines)
dextromethorphan, benzonatate, codeine
uses for antitussives
suppress dry, hacking, nonproductive cough
centrally acting antitussives
narcotics and nonnarcotics/ act on whole body, taken orally
locally acting antitussives
throat lozenges, cough drops
nursing considerations for antitussives
if taken orally, NPO for 30 mins after liquid or cough drop/ some drug to drug interactions with antidepressants
patient teaching for antitussives
encourage adequate fluid intake, humidification, do not take longer than 1 week, avoid accidental OD
example meds for expectorants
guaifenesin
uses of expectorants
liquify respiratory secretions/thin out, allowing for easier removal, use in productive cough
nursing considerations for expectorants
do not crush or chew extended release tab
patient teaching for expectorants
encourage adequate fluid intake, humidification, do not take longer than 1 week (without seeing MD), avoid accidental OD, encourage coughing and breathing/ give pt incentive spirometer; help expand lungs
example meds of mucolytics (highest power expectorant)
acetylcysteine
mechanism of action of mucolytics
liquify mucus in respiratory tract; administered by inhalation
mechanism of action of mucolytics
liquify mucus in respiratory tract; administered by inhalation
uses of mucolytics
clear airways in chronic lung disease, such as cystic fibrosis and severe asthma
acetylcystein can be used as the antidote for
acetaminophen overdose
nursing considerations for mucolytics
monitor airway clearance after administration, have suction equipment available, remove residue left form treatment from face with water, can be given via different routes depending on drug use(such as as an antidote)
patient teaching for mucolytics
encourage adequate fluid intake and encourage coughing and deep breathing
OTC cold medicines ex. Vicks NyQuil
many contain antihistamine, nasal decongestants and analgesic, some contain antitussive, expectorants. Be careful if you are taking multiple, possible OD
a common mucolytic used to liquify mucus in the respiratory tract is?
Acetylcsteine
cold remedies listed as “non drowsy” or labeled as “daytime” formulas do not contain?
A first generation antihistamine; a major side effect of early antihistamines is drowsiness
the nurse caring for a patient with nasal congestion who is using the OTC decongestant oxymetazoline. The nurse counsels the patient that this medication should only be used for the time recommended on the package and no longer because excessive use may cause?
rebound nasal congestion
