Respiratory Flashcards
Name 2 ways drugs can improve airway ventilation and give examples
Improve airway patency (openness/unobstructed)
- bronchodilators
- anti-inflammatory
Prevent mast cell degranulation (so histamine isn’t released)
- chromoglycate (makes mast cells more stable)
2 bronchodilators and functions
β2 agonist– dilation
Anticholinergic- blocks acetylcholine
2 drugs that impair ventilation
β blockers
- cause bronchoconstriction if bound with β2 receptors
Respiratory depressants
- e.g. Opioids
What type of drugs are used to improve gas exchange and give 2 examples
Respiratory stimulants
- theophyllines
- oxygen
2 systems used for inhaled drugs delivery and examples
- Meter dose inhaler (MDI)
- “puffer”
- comes out at high velocity
- tends to get stuck at back of mouth rather than going down into lungs - Breath activated device
- spinhaler
- turbohaler
2 types of β agonists, examples, and colour of inhaler
Short acting (relievers)
- salbutamol (blue inhaler)
- terbutaline (blue inhaler)
Long acting (preventers) - salmeterol (green inhaler)
Describe short acting β agonists: Onset Duration Administration Function
Quick onset- 2-3 minutes
Lasts: 4-6 hours
Admin- inhaled, oral, IV
Used to TREAT acute bronchial constriction
Describe long acting β agonists: Onset Duration Administration Function
Slow onset: 1-2 hours
Lasts: 12-15 hours
Admin: inhaled
Used to PREVENT acute bronchial constriction
(Always used with inhaled steroid)
What function do anticholinergics have?
Example and colour
Additive effect in bronchial dilation and reduce mucus secretion
Ipratropium
- Grey inhaler
What function do corticosteroids have?
Examples and colours
Decrease inflammation in bronchial walls
Beclometasone (brown)
Budesonide (brown)
Fluticosone (Orange)
Mometasone (pink)
What are compound preparations?
Example and colour
Inhaled steroid with long acting β agonist
- seretide (purple)
3 ways respiratory drugs can be administered
Inhalation (topical- applying straight into lung tissue)
Oral
IV
Name and describe 5 respiratory symptoms
Cough- dry, sputum, blood
Wheeze- expiratory noise (obstruction/ problem in bronchioles)
Stridor- inspiratory noise (obstruction/problem in trachea)
Dyspnoea- laboured breathing
Pain- general/inspiratory
Example of respiratory infection
Pneumonia
Examples of airflow obstruction respiratory diseases
Astha
COPD
Restrictive pulmonary change
What are the 4 main types of respiratory diseases
Infections
Airflow obstruction
Gas exchange failure
Tumours
3 things that can cause gas exchange failure
Reduced surface area
Fibrosis (thickening of connective tissues)
Fluid
3 things that exacerbate airflow obstructions
Infections
Exercise
Cold air
Define asthma
Chronic inflammatory disease of the airways
What is the triad of asthma mechanism?
Airway smooth muscle contraction
Inflammation of mucosa
Increased mucous secretion
4 asthma symptoms
Wheezing
Coughing
Chest tightness
SOB
6 asthma signs
Decrease/changes in lung function Wheezing Increase in respiratory rate Airflow limitation Airway hyper responsiveness Inflammation of bronchi
Investigations of asthma
Measuring FEV1
Stethoscope
Peak flow
4 asthma triggers
Infections
Environmental stimuli (dust, smoke)
Cold air
‘Atopy’ (allergy- hypersensitive reactions to allergens)
