Pharmaceutical Care of Respiratory Patients I (Role of Pharmacist in Community) Flashcards

1
Q

List 8 red flag symptoms for respiratory conditions

A
  1. Chest pain/pain on breathing
  2. Wheezing/SOB
  3. Recurrent cough
  4. Chronic cough >3 weeks
  5. Weight loss
  6. Fever
  7. Purulent (pussy) sputum
  8. Haemoptysis (coughing blood)
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2
Q

What 3 things should be recommended for patients with respiratory diseases who have a cold?

A
  1. Paracetamol
  2. Honey and lemon
  3. Steam inhalation
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3
Q

What should asthmatics avoid when they have a cold?

A

NSAIDs

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4
Q

What should be avoided by patients with respiratory diseases who have a cold?

A

Respiratory depressants - no cough suppressants or antihistamines

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5
Q

What medication can patients with COPD take if they suffer from a strain or sprain?

A
  • Can use NSAIDs if no other cautions/contra-indications
  • Paracetamol
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6
Q

What medications can asthmatics take if they suffer from a strain or sprain?

A
  • Paracetamol
  • Co-codamol if respiratory function is okay
  • No NSAIDs
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7
Q

What should asthmatics not use for head lice?

A

Alcoholic solutions - evaporating alcohol can irritate lungs and cause wheezing

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8
Q

What is it recommended that asthmatics should use for head lice?

A

Aqueous solutions - don’t irritate skin or lungs e.g. Hedrin`

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9
Q

What is it recommended that patients with RDs should take for hayfever?

A
  • Non-sedating antihistamine e.g. cetirizine, loratidine
  • Topical preparations e.g. nasal corticosteroids, eye drops
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10
Q

What kind of antihistamine is it not recommended for patients with RDs to take for hayfever?

A

Sedating antihistamines - not recommended in respiratory conditions due to anticholinergic effects (block action of ACh)

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11
Q

Name 6 conditions respiratory patients may present with

A
  1. Tremor/palpitations
  2. Tiredness
  3. Nausea
  4. Heartburn
  5. Insomnia
  6. Thrush
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12
Q

What could tremor/palpitations be caused by in patients with RDs?

A
  • Salbutamol and theophylline (treat and prevent wheezing)
  • Review treatment
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13
Q

What could tiredness be caused by in patients with RDs?

A
  • Deterioration in COPD - lack of oxygen
  • Refer
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14
Q

What could nausea be caused by in patients with RDs?

A

Side effects of drugs e.g. theophylline

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15
Q

What could heartburn be caused by in patients with RDs?

A
  • Oral prednisalone or theophylline
  • Treat with antacid/omeprazole
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16
Q

What could insomnia be caused by in patients with RDs?

A

Theophylline - check plasma levels

17
Q

What could thrush be caused by in patients with RDs?

A
  • Effects of antibiotics and steroids
  • Treat with miconazole oral gel or fluconazole
18
Q

List 3 OTC preparations that theophylline interacts with

A
  1. Cimetidine - treating and preventing ulcers in the stomach/small intestine, GORD
  2. Fluconazole - treat fungal and yeast infections
  3. St John’s Wort
19
Q

How does theophylline interact with cimetidine and fluconazole?

A

Causes increased levels of theophylline

20
Q

How does theophylline interact with St John’s Wort?

A

Decreased levels of theophylline

21
Q

Explain the asthma action plan (SMILE)P

A
  • Stop smoking
  • Monitoring
  • Inhaler technique
  • Lifestyle
  • Education
  • Pharmacotherapy (therapy using pharmaceutical drugs)
22
Q

Why should sufferers of respiratory diseases stop smoking?

A
  • Smokers respond less to asthma treatment
  • Reduces rate of decline of COPD and improves survival rate
23
Q

Why are smokers at greater risk of theophylline toxicity?

A

Smokers require higher doses of theophylline so there is an increase in serum theophylline concentrations, and possibly toxicity

24
Q

Define: LABA

A
  • Long-acting beta agonists
  • Bronchodilator medication, opens airways in lungs by relaxing smooth muscle around airways
  • Long-term control medication
25
Q

What does ICS stand for?

A

Inhaled corticosteroids

26
Q

How do ICSs work?

A

Act locally in the lungs to inhibit the inflammatory process which causes asthma

27
Q

What should LABAs also be prescribed in conjunction with?

A

ICSs, ideally in a single inhaler

28
Q

Who should ICSs always be prescribed for?

A

For all symptomatic people with asthma

29
Q

What group of patients should never be prescribed ICSs as monotherapy?

A

COPD

30
Q

Name a lifestyle change that can improve a COPD sufferer’s quality of life

A

Exercise

31
Q

What should asthmatics do prior to exercise?

A

Inhale 200 micrograms of salbutamol 15 minutes prior to exercise

32
Q

What forms of exercise are best for patients with respiratory problems?

A

Swimming, running or fast walking

33
Q

List 3 links between obesity and respiratory diseases

A
  1. Thoracic restriction
  2. Reduction in cardiovascular space
  3. Oxidative stress
34
Q

List 3 factors related to diet that can increase the risk of asthma

A
  1. Reduced fruits, vegetables and fish
  2. Increased saturated fats
  3. High regular intake of sugar
35
Q

List 3 food substances that increase the risk of bronchoconstriction

A
  1. Eggs
  2. Fish
  3. Peanuts
36
Q

List 3 substances that increase the risk of bronchodilation

A
  1. Low dose alcohol
  2. Caffeine
  3. Magnesium
37
Q

List 4 drugs that cause increased levels of theophylline due to interactions

A
  1. Macrolides - antibiotics
  2. Quinolones - antiobiotics
  3. Fluvoxamine - antidepressant
  4. Calcium channel blockers - hypertension
38
Q

List 3 drugs that cause decreased levels of theophylline due to interactions

A
  1. Rifampicin - antibiotic
  2. Phenobarbital - antiepileptic, control seizures
  3. Phenytoin - anticonvulsant (epilepsy)
39
Q

List 3 types of drug that lower potassium levels due to interactions with theophylline

A
  1. Corticosteroids
  2. High-dose B2 agonists
  3. Diuretics