Asthma meds

Question 1

Control therapy drugs

Answer 1

MOA: main purpose to prevent an attack caused by an allergen, long acting and slow onset.

Nursing implications: don’t use as reliever drugs due to slow onset of action and do not relieve acute symptoms.

Drugs: corticosteroids, fluticasone, salmeterol

Give using MDI

Question 2

Reliever drugs

Answer 2

MOA: Used to stop an attack, short acting, used before exercising.

Nursing implications: carry inhaler at all times, monitor HR b/c excessive use can cause tachycardia and other symptoms, use drug 5 mins before other inhalers to allow bronchodilation effect to increase effectiveness of other drugs.

drugs: albuterol, levalbuterol

Question 3

Bronchodilators

Answer 3

MOA: induce rapid bronchodilation, relaxing bronchiole smooth muscle, not for emergency use.

Nursing implications: do not use in emergency situations, do not use has reliever drug.

Drugs: salmeterol (preventative), Ipratropium

Question 4

Anti-inflammatory agents

Answer 4

MOA: help improve bronchiolar airflow and increase gas exchange by decreasing inflammation of airway, does not cause bronchodilation.

Nursing implications:
Prednisone: know expected side effects, avoid those with respiratory infections, avoid activities that lead to injury due to fragile vessels, take with food to reduce GI ulcers, do not stop drug for any reason.
Montelukast: monitor mental health changes, use daily even when no symptoms present, do not stop or decrease dose.

Drugs: Prednisone, Montelukast