Respiratory Pharmacology

Question 1

What are 3 types of bronchodilator medications? What is the role of bronchodilators?

Answer 1

1. -terol
2. -trop
3. -phylline

bronchodilators open the airways

Question 2

What are 3 types of respiratory drugs that decrease inflammation?

Answer 2

1. corticosteroids
   * -sones
   * -onides
2. -lukast
3. -molyn

Question 3

What are 2 types of antihistamines? What is the role of antihistamines?

Answer 3

1. diphenhydramine
2. cetirizine

decrease secretions and minor inflammations

Question 4

-terol
* purpose
* classification
* nursing pro tips

5 nursing pro tips

Answer 4

• purpose: treatment of asthma, acute bronchospasm, bronchitis
• classification: bronchodilator; sympathomimetic (fight or flight drug)
• pro tips:
  1. caution using for tachycardic pts
  2. side effect = restlessness
  3. relaxes smooth muscles; increases O2 sat
  4. hold breath for 10 seconds after administration
  5. use bronchodilators FIRST BEFORE anti-inflammatories

Question 5

-trop
* purpose
* classification
* nursing pro tips

1 nursing pro tip

Answer 5

• purpose: treatment of COPD, chronic bronchial swelling, daily dose for pts with chronic respiratory illnesses
• classification: bronchodilator; anti-cholinergic (fight or flight drug)
• nursing pro tips:
  1. NOT a rescue inhaler due to delayed onset

Question 6

-phylline
* purpose
* classification
* nursing pro tips

3 nursing pro tips

Answer 6

• purpose: treatment of asthma, COPD, and acute bronchitis
• classification: bronchodilator; beta-adrenergic agonist (fight or flight drug)
• nursing pro tips:
  1. side effect = tachycardia (make sure you avoid caffeine)
  2. infuse with a pump
  3. narrow therapeutic levels – monitor levels regularly

Question 7

-sone & -onide
* purpose
* classification
* nursing pro tips

6 nursing pro tips

Answer 7

• purpose: treatment of asthma, COPD; decreases inflammation
• classification: corticosteroid; mimics stress hormone cortisol
• nursing pro tips:
  1. adverse effect = increased thirst (may indicate hyperglycemia) – administer prednisone to counteract
  2. give AFTER bronchodilators
  3. can lower immunity and cause thrush – rinse mouth after use
  4. taper off drug
  5. buffalo hump develops with long-term use of prednisone
  6. prednisone + aspirin could lead to occult blood in stool

Question 8

-lukast
* purpose
* classification
* nursing pro tips

2 nursing pro tips

Answer 8

• purpose: treatment of asthma; decreases inflammation
• classification: anti-inflammatory; leukotriene receptor antagonist
• nursing pro tips:
  1. taking in the evening increases effectiveness
  2. DO NOT take with NSAIDS – increased bleeding and will make asthma symptoms worse

Question 9

-molyn
* purpose
* classification
* nursing pro tips

2 nursing pro tips

Answer 9

• purpose: treatment of mastocytosis (production of too many mast cells)
• classification: anti-inflammatory
• nursing pro tips:
  1. use AFTER bronchodilators
  2. prevents mast cells from releasing inflammatories

Question 10

diphenhydramine & cetirizine
* purpose
* classification
* nursing pro tips

4 nursing pro tips

Answer 10

• purpose: treatment of allergies, inflammation, and insomnia (it’s Benadryl!)
• classification: antihistamine; anti-cholinergic (fight or flight drug)
• nursing pro tips:
  1. adverse effects = elderly = confusion, unsteady gait
  2. adverse effects = sedation
  3. adverse effects = males with BPH = inhibition of urination
  4. improves urticaria (itching and hives)