Respiratory Drugs and Corticosteroids Flashcards
What structure ends the respiratory tree and is made up of dilated sacs?
The alveoli
What are the bronchioles?
Muscular elastic structures who’s diameter varies with contraction or relaxation of smooth muscle.
What doe lumen mean?
Diameter
What is respiration?
The process of bringing oxygen into the body and moving carbon dioxide out?
What 2 processes are involved in respiration?
Ventilation and perfusion
What is ventilation?
Moving air into and out of the lungs.
What is perfusion?
The flow of blood through the lungs.
What part of the nervous system controls the diameter of airways?
Autonomic nervous system
What receptors are activated in the sympathetic branch involving the control of airways?
Beta 2 adrenergic receptors
What receptors are activated in the parasympathetic division involving the control of airways?
Muscarinic receptors
What are bronchoconstrictive disorders characterized by?
- bronchial smooth muscle spasm
- mucosal edema
- excessive mucous production
- infection
What are some examples of bronchoconstrictive disorders?
Asthma, COPD, and cystic fibrosis.
What two components are involved with asthma?
Inflammatory and bronchospasm
What is the most common symptom of asthma?
Chronic cough
What are some acute symptoms of asthma?
Wheezing, chest tightness, dyspnea, and productive cough.
What are some of the common triggers of asthma?
Viral infections, environmental allergens (animal hair, smoke, temp), drugs (beta blockers), exercise, and emotions.
What is status asthmaticus?
It is an acute, refractory asthmas attack unresponsive to rigorous therapy.
What are some symptoms of status asthmaticus?
Acute anxiety, markedly laboured breathing, wheezing, tachycardia, diaphoresis, absent breath sounds are an ominous finding.
What is chronic bronchitis?
Chronic inflammation, edema, hyperplasia of the submucosal glands, and excess mucus secretion which results in a chronic, productive cough.
What are some of the causes of chronic bronchitis?
Cigarette smoking, air pollutants, occupational exposure to nitrogen and sulphur oxides.
What are some symptoms of chronic bronchitis?
Copious sputum, decreased breath sounds, wheezing, tachypnea.
What type of drug is the most effective for relieving acute bronchospasm?
Beta 2 adrenergic agonists
What do Beta 2 adrenergic agonists do?
Cause vasodilation.
Name a Beta-2 adrenergic agonist:
Ventolin
What is the onset, peak, and duration of Ventolin?
Onset = 5-15 mins (inhaled), 30 mins (PO) Peak = 0.5-2 hours Duration = 2-6 hours if inhaled
What are the adverse effects of Ventolin?
Palpitations, headaches, throat irritation, tremor, nervousness, restlessness, and tachycardia.
Name another beta 2 agonist used for bronchodilation:
Salmeterol