Drugs acting on Respiratory System Flashcards
Enumerate the 3 parts of the Upper respiratory tract
Nasal Cavity
Pharynx
Larynx
Enumerate the 3 parts of the Lower respiratory tract
Trachea
Primary Bronchi
Lungs
The common cold is caused by what virus
rhinovirus
- most contagious 1-4 days before the onset of symptoms, and during the first 3 days of the cold
- Transmission: touching contaminated surfaces, then touching the nose or mouth
- S/Sx: rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, cough, and increased mucosal secretions
Common Cold
Drugs used to treat common colds
antihistamines, decongestants, antitussives, and expectorants
- Inflammation of the mucuous membrane that usually accompanies the common cold
- Increased nasal secretions
Acute Rhinitis
– aka “hay fever”; caused by pollen or foreign substance
- increased nasal secretions
Allergic Rhinitis
Identify the drug…
- H1 blockers or H1 antagonists
- Compete with histamine for receptore sites
- Not useful in an emergency situation e.g. anaphylaxis
- Rapidly absorbed in 15 minutes but not potent enough to combat anaphylaxis
Antihistamines
Which Generation of Antihistamines is being described below
- Cause drowsiness, dry mouth, and other anticholinergic symptoms
- Patient should be alerted not to drive or operate machinery when taking such medications
- Decreases secretions, nasal itching and tickling that cause sneezing
First-Generation
Identify the drug…
- 1st generation Antihistamine
- Frequently combined with other ingredients in cold remedy preparations
- Can be Oral, IM, IV
- Major SE: drowsiness
DIPHENHYDRAMINE (Benadryl)
Nursing Interventions
for First-Generation Antihistamines
- Give oral form with food to decrease gastric distress
- Administer IM form in large muscle; avoid SQ injection
- Warn pt to avoid driving and performing dangerous activities after taking drug
- Advise pt to avoid alcohol and other CNS depressants
- Encourage pt to take drug as prescribed
- Teach pt on prophylaxis for motion sickness to take the drug at least 30mins before offending event, and also before meals and at bedtime during event
- Inform breastfeeding mothers that small amounts of drug pass into breastmilk
Which Generation of Antihistamines is being described below
- Fewer anticholinergic effects and lower incidence of drowsiness
- Cetirizine, Fexofenadine, and Loratadine – t1/2: 7-15hrs
- Azelastine - t1/2: 22hrs; nasal spray
Second-Generation Antihistamines
They…
- Stimulate the alpha-adrenergic receptors causing vasoconstriction (nasal mucosa) causing shrinking of the nasal mucosal membranes and reduction in fluid secretion
- Can be Nasal spray or drops, tablets, capsule, liquid
- Frequent use can result in tolerance and rebound nasal congestion
- Advantage: Fewer side effects that systemic decongestants
NASAL DECONGESTANTS
They…
- Can be Tablet, capsule, liquid form
- Used primarily for allergic rhinitis including hay fever and acute coryza
- Ephedrine, Phenylephrine, Pseudoephedrine
- Frequently combined with antihistamine, analgesic, or antitussive in oral cold remedies
- Advantage: relieve nasal congestion for a longer period that nasal decongestants
SYSTEMIC DECONGESTANTS
Side Effects and Adverse Reactions of Nasal and Systemic Decongestants
- Topical preparations have low incidence of side effects
- Jittering, nervousness, or restlessness will decrease or disappear as the body adjusts to the drug
- Nasal sprays causes rebound nasal congestion; emphasize the importance of limiting use of nasal sprays and drops
- Decongestants will increased BP and blood glucose levels
Drug Interaction of Nasal and Systemic Decongestants
- Pseudoephedrine may decrease the effect of beta blockers
- Decongestants + Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) – hypertension and dysrhythmias; restlessness; advice to avoid large amounts of caffeine
They are…
- Effective for treating allergic rhinitis
- Antiinflammatory action – decrease sx of rhinorrhea, sneezing, and congestion
- May be used alone or in combination with an H1 antihistamine
- Chronic use – dryness of nasal mucosa
- Dexamethasone – should NOT be used for >30 days
Intranasal Glucocorticoids
Examples of Intranasal Glucocorticoids
Beclomethasone, Budesonide, Dexamethasone, Flunisolide, Fluticasone, Triamcinolone
– naturally protective way to clear airway of secretions or any collected material
Cough
- Act on the cough control center in the medulla to suppress the cough reflex
- Indicated ONLY for nonproductive, irritating cough
- Hard candy – may decrease the constant, irritating cough
- There are 3 types – nonnarcotic, narcotic, or combination
Antitussives
3 types of Antitussives
nonnarcotic, narcotic, or combination
Theses Antitussives are
- Nonnarcotic
- OTC drug
- Syrup or liquid form, chewable, capsules, and lozenges
- Can cause neither physical dependence nor tolerance
- Fast onset of action; Duration of action: 3-6hrs; t1/2: 11hours
Dextrometorphan (Robitussin), Butamirate Citrate (Sinecod)
They…
- Loosen bronchial secretions so they can be eliminated by coughing
- Found in many OTC cold remedies along with analgesics, antihistamines, decongestants, and antitussives
- Must Instruct pt to increase fluid intake to at least 8 glasses per day to help loosen mucus
Expectorants
best natural expectorant
Hydration
An example of Expectorants
Guaifenesin
Common Cold: Nursing Interventions and Patient Teaching
- Monitor VS. Assess for hypertension and dysrhythmias
- Observe for color of bronchial secretions; yellowish-greenish mucus is indicative of a bronchial infection
- Warn pt that codeine preparation for cough suppression can lead to tolerance and physical dependence
- Tell pt that hypotension and hyperpyrexia may occur when dextromethorphan is taken with MAOIs
- Teach pt about the proper use of nasal sprays, “puff” or squeeze products
- Caution pt not to use >1-2 puffs, 4-6x a day, for 5-7 days (rebound congestion)
- Advise pt to read labels on OTC drugs and to check with physician before taking cold remedies
- Antibiotics are not helpful in treating common cold viruses
- Encourage older patients with comorbidities to contact HCP concerning selection of drug, including OTC drugs
- Instruct pt not to drive during initial use of a cold remedy
- Tell pt to maintain adequate fluid intake
- Teach pt not to take a cold remedy before or at bedtime;
- Insomnia may occur if it contains decongestant
Encourage pt to get adequate rest - Inform pt about the mode of transmission of cold and flu viruses; hand-to-hand contact or by touching contaminated surfaces
- Advise pt to avoid environmental pollutants, fumes, smoking, and dust
- Teach pt to perform 3 effective coughs before bedtime to promote uninterrupted sleep
- Instruct pt to store drug out of reach of children; request childproof caps
- Advise pt to contact HCP if cough persists for >1 week, or is accompanied by chest pain, fever, or headache
- Teach pt how to self-administer nose drops and inhalants
- Encourage pt to cough effectively; deep breaths before coughing in an upright position
- Inflammation of the mucous membrane of one or more of the maxillary, frontal, ethmoid or sphenoid sinuses
- Systemic or nasal decongestant may be indicated
- Acetaminophen, fluids, and rest ma also be helpful
- Acute or Severe may need antibiotics
SINUSITIS
- Inflammation of the throat; “sore throat”
- Can be caused by a virus, beta-hemolytic streptococci (strep throat), or other bacteria
- Can occur alone or with the common cold and rhinitis or acute sinusitis
- Sx – fever and cough
- Throat culture – to rule out B-hemolytic streptococcal infection; if (+), a 10-day course of antibiotic is prescribed
- Saline gargles, lozenges, and increased fluid intake are usually indicated
- Acetaminophen – to alleviate fever
- Antibiotics are NOT effective for viral pharyngitis
ACUTE PHARYNGITIS
Enumerate Drugs Acting on the Upper Respiratory System
- Antihistamines
- Nasal and Systemic Decongestants
- Intranasal Glucocorticoids
- Antitussives
- Expectorants
Name 3 examples of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Asthma | Chronic Bronchitis | Emphysema
Identify which COPD is being described
- Inflammatory disorder of the airway associated with a varying amount of airway obstruction
- Triggers: stress, allergens, and pollutants causing inflammation and edema of bronchial airways causing constriction of air passages causing wheezing, coughing, dyspnea, chest tightnes
Asthma