Resp/ Urinary Flashcards
Adrenergics (sympathomimetics)
Drugs that stimulate the sympathetic nerve fines of the autonomic nervous system that use epinephrine or epinephrine-like substances as neurotransmitters
Anticholinergics (parasympatholytics)
Drugs that block the action of acetylcholine and similar substances at acetylcholine receptors, resulting in the inhibition of the transmission of parasympathetic nerve impulses
Antigens
Substances that, upon entering the body, can induce specific immune responses and, in turn, react with the specific products of this response, such as antibodies and specifically sensitized T lymphocytes
Antihistamines
Substances capable of reducing the physiological and pharmacological effects of histamine, including a wide variety of drugs that block histamine receptors
Antitussive
A drug that reduces coughing, often by inhibiting neural activity in the cough centre of the central nervous system (CNS)
Corticosteroids
Any of the hormones produced by the adrenal cortex, either in natural or synthetic form
Decongestants
Drugs that reduce congestion or swelling, especially of the upper or lower respiratory tract
Empirical therapy
A method of treating disease on the basis of observations and experience, without an understanding of the precise cause of or mechanism responsible for the disorder or the way in which the therapeutic drug or procedure produces improvement or cure
Expectorants
Drugs that increase the flow of fluid in the respiratory tract, usually by reducing the viscosity or bronchial and tracheal secretions and facilitating their removal by the cough reflex and ciliary action
Histamine antagonists
Drugs that compete with histamine for binding sites on histamine receptors
Influenza
A highly contagious infection of the respiratory tract caused by a myxovirus and transmitted by airborne droplets
Non-sedating antihistamines
Newer medications that work peripherally to block the actions of histamine and therefore do not have the CNS effects of many of the older antihistamines; also called second-generation antihistamines or peripherally acting antihistamines
Reflex stimulation
An irritation of the respiratory tract occurring in response to an irritation of the gastrointestinal tract
Rhinovirus
Any of approximately 100 serologically distinct ribonucleic acid (RNA) viruses that cause approximately 40% of acute respiratory illnesses
Sympathomimetic drugs
A class of drugs whose effects mimic those resulting from the stimulation of organs and structures by the sympathetic nervous system
Upper Respiratory Tract Infection (URI)
Any infectious disease of the upper respiratory tract, including the common cold, laryngitis, pharyngitis, rhinitis, sinusitis, and tonsilitis
Allergen
Any substance that evokes an allergic response
Allergic asthma
Bronchial asthma caused by hypersensitivity to an allergen or allergens
Alveoli
Microscopic sacs in the lungs where oxygen is exchanged for carbon dioxide; also called air sacs
Antibodies
Immunoglobulin produced by lymphocytes in response to bacteria, viruses, or other antigenic substances
Asthma
Recurrent and reversible shortness of breath that occurs when the airways of the lung (bronchi and bronchioles) become narrow as a result of bronchospasm, inflammation, and edema of the bronchial mucosa
Asthma Attack
The onset of wheezing together with difficulty breathing
Bronchial Asthma
General term for recurrent and reversible shortness of breath resulting from narrowing of the bronchi and bronchioles; it is often referred to simply as asthma
Bronchodilators
Medications that improve airflow by relaxing bronchial smooth muscle cells
Chronic Bronchitis
Chronic inflammation of the bronchi
Emphysema
A condition of the lungs characterized by enlargement of the air spaces distal to the bronchioles
Immunoglobulins
Proteins belonging to any of five structurally and antigenically distinct classes of antibodies present in the serum and external secretions of the body
Lower Respiratory Tract (LRT)
The division of the respiratory system composed of organs located almost entirely within the chest
Trachea
All segments of bronchial tree
Lungs
Status asthmaticus
A prolonged asthma attack
Upper Respiratory Tract (URT)
The division of the respiratory system composed of organs located outside the chest cavity (thorax) Nose Nasopharynx Oropharynx Laryngopharynx Larynx
Antihistamines: Mechanism of Action
Block action of histamine at the H1 receptor sites
Compete with histamine for binding at unoccupied receptors
The binding of H1 blockers to the histamine receptors prevents the adverse consequences of histamine stimulation (vasodilation, increased GI and respiratory secretions increased capillary permeability)
More effective in preventing the actions of histamine rather than reversing them
Should be given early in treatment, before all the histamine binds to the receptors
Histamine Effects
Dilates blood vessels
Increases permeability
Stimulates salivary, gastric, lacrimal and bronchial secretions
Is released from mast cells along with other substances, resulting in allergic reactions
Antihistamine Effects
Reduces dilation of blood vessels
Reduces increased permeability of blood vessels
Reduces salivary, gastric, lacrimal and bronchial secretions
Binds to histamine receptors, thus preventing histamine from causing a response
Antihistamines: Indications
Nasal allergies
Seasonal of perennial allergic rhinitis (hay fever)
Allergic reactions
Motion sickness
Parkinson’s disease
Sleep disorders
Also used to alleviate symptoms of the common cold (sneezing, running nose)
Antihistamines: Contraindications
Known drug allergy
Sole drug therapy during acute asthmatic attacks
Many other disease entities (narrow-angle glaucoma, heart disease, kidney disease, hypertension)
Children (depending on product)
Antihistamine: Adverse Effects
Dry mouth Difficulty urinating Constipation Changes in vision Mild drowsiness to deep sleep
Antihistamine: Traditional
Are older
Work both peripherally and centrally
Have anticholinergic effects which makes them more effective than non-sedating drugs in some instances (diphenydramine, chlorpheniramine)
Antihistamine: Nonsedating (peripherally acting)
Were developed to eliminate unwanted adverse effects, mainly sedation
Work peripherally to block the actions of histamine
Have a longer duration of action (fexofenadine- Allegra, loratadine - Claritin, ceterizine - Reactine