Respiratory Medications

Question 1

What are LOWER respiratory disorders?

Answer 1

BROAD CATEGORIES = COPD and restrictive lung disease (RLD)
Emphysema
Chronic Bronchitis
Pulmonary Edema
Lung Tumors
Asthma
Pulmonary Fibrosis

Question 2

What are some important points with Albuterol (Proventil)?

Answer 2

Is a sympathomimetic drug (Beta-Adrenergic)
IS A RESCUE MED (used during an active attack)
- ONLY med on here that can be used for an ACTIVE attack

Question 3

What is the CORRECT way to use an inhaler?

Answer 3

Shake med b4 using
Must take a deep breath in B4 taking med
Wait for a minute
Put inhaler to lips, BUT DON’T close lips around the mouth piece
BREATHE and PUSH on the medication AT THE SAME TIME
- A nebulizer can be used for those who can’t do this at the same time
WAIT about 2 min b4 doing second dose, then repeat steps

Question 4

What is the correct order of respiratory medications? (When taking multiple)

Answer 4

1. Bronchodilator
2. Steroid
3. Any additional resp. medication

Question 5

What are important points with Ipratropium (Spiriva)?

Answer 5

Is an anticholinergic
SE: Dry mouth, urinary retention
DO NOT USE IF: Pregnant/lactating or ALLERGIC 2 PEANUTS
Is a powder that the pt inhales

Question 6

What are important points with Theophylline?

Answer 6

Is a Methylxanthine derivative
Prevents FUTURE attacks, (NOT for an ACTIVE attack)
THERAPEUTIC RANGE: 10-20 mcg/mL
TOXICITY: Tachycardia, nausea, GI irritation, irritability
- These are NORMAL SE, but are more PROMINENT w/ toxicity

Question 7

What are important points with Montelukast (Singulair)?

Answer 7

Is a leukotriene inhibitor (prevents inflammation of bronchioles)
Prevents a FUTURE attack
Can cause nasal congestion (bc decrease inflammation = increase in secretions)

Question 8

What is important points with Glucocorticoids?

Answer 8

End with -sone (Progesterone, cortisone etc.)
Decreases immune response (so increased risk 4 infection!)
Has a synergistic effect w/ beta-2 agonists
Considered gold standard Tx 4 ALL COPD
MUST RINSE MOUTH AFTERWARDS
- bc at risk 4 oral thrush

Question 9

What are some important points with Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)?

Answer 9

Is an antihistamine (H1, which works in the nasal cavity)
Is an antitussive as well
Prevents motion sickness
Common SE = drowsiness (bc its gen. 1, which has more sedative properties than gen. 2)
DO NOT use in LOWER resp. disorders bc it dries up secretions

Question 10

What are some important points with Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide (Robitussin)?

Answer 10

Is an antitussive
SUPPRESSES cough reflex
Is ADDICTIVE (bc it contains codeine)
Causes vasoconstriction

Question 11

What are some important points with Ephedrine?

Answer 11

Is a TOPICAL nasal decongestant
Causes vasoCONSTRICTION (which decreases secretions)
Not systemically absorbed
Can cause DEPENDENCE (if used too much can cause secretions even if person isn’t sick anymore)

Question 12

What are some important points with Flunisolide?

Answer 12

Is a Topical Nasal STEROIDAL decongestant
Can cause DECREASED IMMUNE system
Can dry mucosal membranes
NOT absorbed systemically

Question 13

What are some important points with Guaifenesin?

Answer 13

Is an expectorant
CAUSES cough reflex
Thins secretions
INCREASE FLUID INTAKE

Question 14

What are come important points with Acetylceisteine?

Answer 14

Is a mucolytic
DECREASES cough reflex
INCREASE fluid intake when on
IS AN ANTIDOTE 2 ACETAMINOPHEN