Chapter 31- Respiratory (Asthma) Flashcards
(43 cards)
what is the most common trigger of asthma
cold weather
what medication should you not give a patient with asthma?
NSAIDS
beta blockers
ACE inhibitors
What is the purpose of a peak flow rate monitor in patients with asthma?
can determine the severity of airway constriction (can determine whether as asthma attack is imminent).
Above 80% is considered okay!
What is the purpose of albuterol?
it is a rescue medication to prevent bronchospasms in people who asthma or reversible airway disease.
- Bronchodilates
- short term
When should you give epinephrine and when should you not give epinephrine?
Give: when you hear inspiratory stridor (high pitched wheezing signifying obstruction)
DONT: when patient has V TAC
What is an anticholinergic?
long term management drug for asthma, emphysema or chronic bronchitis. It blocks muscarinic (mucous) receptors in bronchi.
two drugs in the anticholinergic class…
Spiriva (24 hour bronchodilator)
Ipratropium
both are effective in relieving acute bronchospasms and act synergistically with other adrenergic bronchodilators.
What is the purpose of a corticosteroid?
helps suppress airway inflammation and repair damaged epithelium
BE ALERT FOR!!!— hyperglycemia, osteoporosis, ADRENAL INSUFFICIENCY!, and fluid retention
What are leukotrines?
fatty substances that are release when there is injury, inflammation or infection. They secrete mucus secretion and mucosal edema in respiratory tract
Montelukast (Singular)
effective for those who do not response to other asthma medications– prevents bronchoconstriction and is used long term.
take at night since it can reduce night time symptoms (when asthma is the worst)
not used for acute asthma attacks
Cromolyn
mast cell stabilizer- adjuvant medication
prevents asthma attacks but does not treat acute asthma
Prevents the release of brochoconstrictive inflammatory substances.
INH (Isoniazid)
TB medication for latent TB, VERY HARD ON THE LIVER!!
watch for: jaundice,
always give this in combination with Rifampin if TB is active.
Corticosteroids and Weight gain:
If a patient gains initial weight, is this normal??
if a patient continues to gain weight, is this normal??
Corticosteroids may cause initial weight gain due to increased appetite
Later weight gain or continued weight gain may be a cause of fluid retention
why do you need to use decreased doses of corticosteroids in older adults?
there is a decrease in muscle mass, plasma volume and hepatic metabolism
Prednisone may cause…
Cushings Syndrome (moon face)
hypoxemia signs and symptoms:
increased HR, slight increase in BP, polycythemia, perioheral vasoconstriction, pulmonary vessel constriction, pulmonary hypertension
hypoxemia
decrease in blood oxygen levels that results in decrease tissue oxygenation. occurs as a result of hypoventilation.
Pleuritis aka Pleurisy
pain is unilateral and made worse by deep breathing or chest movements, abrupt pain in onset
treatment for pleurisy/pleuritis
NSAIDS
Are tidal volumes kept small or large in Pleurisy
SMALL (think:: if they are in a lot of pain, they will not be taking in as much air)
What is Pleural Effusion?
fluid in the pleural cavity and it occurs when the rate of fluid exceeds the rate at which it is removed
It can be unilateral or bilateral
What is Pneumothorax
presence of AIR in the pleural space, partial or complete collapse of the affected lung
Three categories of Pneumothorax
Spontaneous: blister or bleb bursts, causing a hole on the surface of the lung
Traumatic: occurs when there is a direct puncture to the lung (as in car accident, rib fracture, etc.)
Tension: too much pressure caused by injury to chest
What is Atelectasis
incomplete lung expansion, airway obstruction, occurs after surgery, cough or deep breathing and early ambulation.
Be sure to change the patients body positions.
