Respiratory Meds. Flashcards
rotation 1 - week 5
If you’re taking a glucocorticoid in combination w/ a bronchodilator, which one do you take first?
you take the bronchodilator first to allow the airways to open, which then allows the glucocorticoid to be more effective
Albuterol and Salmeterol are both bronchodilators used to treat acute asthma attacks. Which one is a SABA + which one is a LABA?
Albuterol is a short acting Beta2 Agonist and Salmeterol is a long acting Beta2 Agonist
Why should patients who have a history of tachydysrhythmias, HTN, or other cardiovascular diseases be cautious when taking albuterol or salmeterol?
because these drugs increase the stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system, which increases HR + BP, and can cause chest pain
IPRATROPIUM and umeclidinium are both Anticholinergic Muscarinic Antagonists used to treat COPD to relieve bronchoconstriction and reduce secretions. Which one is a SAMA and which one is the LAMA?
Ipratropium is a short acting muscarinic antagonist and umeclidinium is a long acting muscarinic antagonist
If SAMAs + LAMAs are also anticholinergic what 3 kinds of patients should not take this medication?
-Hx. of glaucoma
-Hx. of BPH or bladder neck obstruction
-Hx. of urinary retention
Which medication is a Methylxanthine, that relaxes smooth muscle of the bronchi to dilate them, for long term treatment of chronic stable asthma?
Theophylline
When a patient is going to be taking Theophylline, why is it important to know if they smoke?
Smoking affects the rate at which your body metabolizes things, this could either cause a toxic buildup of the drug or cause it to be metabolized much faster and not have a therapeutic effect at all.
What is the therapeutic range of Theophylline, before it causes toxicity?
If it does become toxic what will the patient present with?
10-15mg/L; seizures and/ or dysrhythmias
Glucocorticoids are steroids. How are they used to treat chronic asthma long term and short term treatment of COPD exacerbation?
steroids are anti-inflammatory, they prevent the release of:
-histamines
-leukotrienes
-prostaglandins
to decrease edema in the airways
True or False? These 3 drugs are glucocorticoids and this is how they’re administered.
-Beclomethasone: inhalant
-prednisone: oral
-fluticasone: nasal
TRUE
Why is it important to take calcium + vitamin D supplements while on a glucocorticoid?
these drugs cause muscle wasting and bone demineralization that could lead to osteoporosis
What are mast cells?
a WBC that is key in allergic reactions and inflammation; and when combined with an antigen histamines, leukotrienes and prostaglandins are released which causes the inflammation response
A mast cell stabilizer is used to treat allergy related or exercise induced asthma, by suppressing the immune system + inflammatory response. When should they take this medication to have an effective response?
take this about 30 minutes prior to doing yardwork or exercising
cromolyn is a mast cell stabilizer, when being used does this drug dilate the bronchioles?
NO. this drug should not be used for an acute asthma attack because it can take a few weeks to reach a therapeutic effect
cromolyN is given via _________.
nebulizer