Upper respiratory drugs

Question 1

What anatomy is included in “upper respiratory system:

Answer 1

From the sinuses to the upper 1/3 of the lungs

Question 2

General use of Antitussives

Answer 2

Cough suppression

Question 3

General use of Decongestants

Answer 3

Decrease blood flow to upper respiratory tract and the overproduction of respiratory secretions

Question 4

General use of antihistamines, relative to the upper respiratory tract

Answer 4

Block the release or action of histamines

Question 5

How do histamines efffect the upper respiratory tract?

Answer 5

They increase secretions and narrow airways.

Question 6

Antitussives should not be used on patients with _________

Answer 6

Thick Secretions

Question 7

General use of Expectorants

Answer 7

Increases productive cough

Question 8

General use of Mucolytics

Answer 8

liquify respiratory secretions to aid in clearing of airways.

Question 9

Actions of antitussives

Answer 9

act directly on the mudullary cough center of the brain

Question 10

Actions of topical nasal decongestants

Answer 10

Sympathomimetic, causes vasoconstriction to reduce inflammation of nasal passage

Question 11

Indications of topical nasal decongestants

Answer 11

relieve discomfort of congestion

Question 12

indications for antitussives

Answer 12

Control of a non-productive cough

Question 13

contraindications for antitussives

Answer 13

patients who rely on coughing to clear airways, or have head injury/impaired CNS

Question 14

Contraindications for topical nasal decongestants

Answer 14

Any condition that could be worsened by sympathetic stimulation such as hypertension (same for oral version). Also any lesions in the mucous membrane,

Question 15

an example of a topical nasal decongestant? an oral one?

Answer 15

Topical: Tetrahydrozoline
Oral: Pseudophedrine

Question 16

Unique adverse effect of topical decongestants

Answer 16

Rebound congestion

Question 17

The action of oral decongestants.

Answer 17

Sympathomimetic. Stimulate α-adrenergic receptors in the nasal mucosa, which shrinks the tissue

Question 18

Indications for topical steroid decongestants

Answer 18

Seasonal allergic rhinitis, inflammation after polyp removal

Question 19

Contraindications for topical steroid decongestants

Answer 19

acute infection (especially sinus),

Question 20

Adverse effects of topical steroid decongestants

Answer 20

local burning, itching, stinging, dryness, suppression of healing of recent nasal surgery or trauma

Question 21

Prototype topical steroid decongestant

Answer 21

flunosolide

Question 22

Actions of antihistamines

Answer 22

Blocks histamine at the histamine 1 receptor site, decreases allergic response

Question 23

indications for antihistamines

Answer 23

Seasonal and perennial allergies, allergic conjunctivitis, urticaria, angioedema

Question 24

Use caution with antihistamines in patients with ________________

Answer 24

Renal/Hepatic impairment, Hx of heart arrhythmias

Question 25

How can you know a drug is an antihistamine?

Answer 25

suffix -mine

Question 26

Actions of expectorants

Answer 26

reduces adhesiveness and surface tension of secretions, helpful for obtaining labs

Question 27

indications for expectorants

Answer 27

use to reduce the frequency of cough that is caused by buildup of secretions

Question 28

action of mucolytics

Answer 28

Helps breakdown mucous in high risk respiratory patients to help them cough it up

Question 29

indications for mucolytics

Answer 29

difficulty coughing up secretions, atelectasis, used during bronchoscopy, post-op patients, patients with tracheostomies

Question 30

How are mucolytics administered?

Answer 30

by nebulizer or direct installation via tracheostomy line