respiratory medications

Question 1

COPD – Chronic Obstructive

Pulmonary Disease

Answer 1

• ASTHMA (Chronic)
• CHRONIC BRONCHITIS
• EMPHYSEMA

Question 2

ASTHMA

Answer 2

1. Narrowing or obstruction of airways.
2. Impaired gaseous exchange at alveoli level.
3. Air movement in and out of the lungs is impeded.
4. The lungs become hyperinflated.

Question 3

Asthma: extrinsic and intrinsic triggers

Answer 3

Extrinsic
 Caused by allergens.
 Release of chemical
mediators from lung tissue
 Mediators from mast cells
e.g. Histamine &
Leukotrienes
 Produce vasodilation and
increased permeability of
pulmonary capillaries.
 Viscous mucus production
 Severe constriction of
bronchioles
 -> Narrowed airways

Intrinsic
 An imbalance between
sympathetic and
parasympathetic
stimulation of Bronchioles
 More common in people who
develop asthma later in life.

Question 4

Inhaled Corticosteroids

Answer 4

• Potent anti-inflammatory agents
• Inhaled into the bronchial airways, greatly reduces the
development of systemic adverse effects.
• inhibit Bronchoconstriction.
- Reduce the immune response so that the dependent pathophysiological changes are also decreased
(oedema, mucous production and bronchoconstriction)
 Enhances effects of Beta 2 agonist inhalers
 Inhaled corticosteroids should be considered if short
acting Beta 2 agonists are used more than 3-4 times
weekly
 Should always be given after a bronchodilator if both
inhalers are required.
 The mouth should be rinsed after inhalation to
prevent oropharyngeal candidiasis and systemic
absorption

Question 5

Antihistamines

Answer 5

 Block the action of histamine thus aids in inhibition
of the inflammatory response associated with allergic
rhinitis (hay fever)