24. Respiratory Pharmacology

Question 1

What are the afferent pathways control of airway function?

Answer 1

Irritant receptors and C fibres respond to chemicals, inflammatory mediators, and physical stimuli

Question 2

How do efferent pathways affect airway function?

Answer 2

PS nerves cause bronchoconstriction and mucus secretion

S nerves do not innervate airway SM, adrenaline released from adrenal medulla to relax airway SM

Question 3

How do non-noradrenergic non-cholinergic nerves affect the airways?

Answer 3

Inhibitory nerves relax airway SM

Sensory (excitatory) nerve stimulation causes neuroinflammation

Question 4

What are the structural changes that occur during asthma?

Answer 4

Smooth muscle contraction, thickening of walls, increased mucus, epithelial damage, infiltration of inflammatory cells, bronchial hypereactivty

Question 5

How can respiratory function be tested?

Answer 5

Force expiration volume in one second measured, forced vital capacity, peak speed of air flow

Question 6

How does asthma affect FEV1

Answer 6

Reduces

Early phase due to bronchospasm, late phase due to inflammation

Question 7

What are the two types of anti-asthmatic drugs?

Answer 7

Bronchodilators (relievers) and anti-inflammatory agents (preventers)

Question 8

How do bronchodilators work?

Answer 8

Promote smooth muscle relaxation by stimulating betas receptors, second messengers, or blocking constriction by cholinergic

Question 9

What are used as anti-inflammatories?

Answer 9

Glucocorticoids

Question 10

How is asthma treatment being modernised?

Answer 10

Drugs used to selectively inhibit IgE (immune) activity to certain allergens