lOMoARcPSD|5734770
WEEK 3 Edapt Notes Pharm
lOMoARcPSD|5734770
WEEK 3: GAS EXCHANGE EDAPT
BRONCHODILATORS → Concept 1
INTRODUCTION TO BRONCHODILATORS
The ABCs of breathing begin with a prudent respiratory assessment followed by the prioritization
of nursing actions
• Our focus turns to the pharmacotherapeutic interventions of the respiratory medications
• Each classification of respiratory medication can be prioritized as to which one should be
administered 1st, 2nd, & so on
Respiratory medications facilitate breathing through dilation of the airways, clearance of
secretions, & reduction of inflammation
- Some respiratory meds have single actions whereas others are combination products
with multidrug activity Which conditions are respiratory medications used to treat?
- Allergies and hay fever
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Asthma
- Emphysema and chronic bronchitis
Which bronchodilator should be used as a rescue inhaler and not as a daily medication to
prevent shortness of breath?
- Short-acting inhaled beta2-agonists
Which drug classifications are respiratory drugs? Select all that apply.
- Bronchodilators, Antihistamines, Expectorants, Antitussives, Decongestants
USE OF RESPIRATORY MEDICATIONS
Respiratory medications treat a wide variety of disorders such as allergies and hay fever,
asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, and chronic bronchitis
In emergent situations, adrenergic drugs are administered to increase cardiac output and
promote effective respiration through bronchodilation which can also be helpful
CLASSISFICATION OF
RESPIRATORY DRUGS
, lOMoARcPSD|5734770
TYPES OF BRONCHODILATORS
Bronchodilators are further broken down into
additional categories
Subjective & Objective symptoms help
determine which medication is more
appropriate than another
ANTIHISTAMINES
Antihistamines constrict smooth muscle, especially in the stomach and lungs; decreases
body secretions; and causes arteriolar vasodilation, venous constriction, and increases
capillary permeability
Used to treat allergic rhinitis (e.g., hay fever, mold, dust allergies), anaphylaxis, angioedema,
drug fevers, insect bite reactions, pruritus (itching), and urticaria (hives)
DECONGESTANTS
There are 3 separate groups of nasal decongestants:
1. Adrenergics (Sympathomimetics)
2. Anticholinergics (Parasympatholytics)
3. Selected topical corticosteroids (Intranasal Steroids)
Nasal decongestants have the ability to shrink engorged nasal mucous membranes & relieve
nasal stuffiness
Nasal Steroids are aimed at the inflammatory response elicited by invading organisms
(viruses & bacteria) or other antigens
, lOMoARcPSD|5734770
ANTITUSSIVES
The cough reflex is stimulated when receptors in the bronchi, alveoli, & linings of the lungs are
stretched
- A signal is sent to the cough center in the medulla of the brain, which in turn
stimulates the cough Antitussives work directly on the medulla to suppress the cough
reflex
EXPECTORANTS
Expectorants work to encourage the expectoration (i.e. coughing up & spitting out) of
excessive mucus in the respiratory tract
- They work to break down & thin secretions for easier expectoration
- EX: Guaifenesin
Drag each drug to its correct classification
Antihistamines: loratadine, fexofenadine
Decongestants: fluticasone, triamcinolone
, Antitussives: codeine, dextromethorphan
Expectorants: guaifenesin
SHORT ACTING BETA-ADRENERGIC AGONISTS (SABA)
Bronchodilators are indicated for a variety of respiratory conditions that cause
inflammation and bronchoconstriction of the airway
They cause relaxation and dilation of smooth muscle in the bronchi and bronchioles,
which facilitates the passage of air and promotes oxygenation and ease of breathing
Short-acting beta-adrenergic agonists are indicated for airflow obstructions, such as in the case of
an asthmatic attack
WEEK 3 Edapt Notes Pharm
lOMoARcPSD|5734770
WEEK 3: GAS EXCHANGE EDAPT
BRONCHODILATORS → Concept 1
INTRODUCTION TO BRONCHODILATORS
The ABCs of breathing begin with a prudent respiratory assessment followed by the prioritization
of nursing actions
• Our focus turns to the pharmacotherapeutic interventions of the respiratory medications
• Each classification of respiratory medication can be prioritized as to which one should be
administered 1st, 2nd, & so on
Respiratory medications facilitate breathing through dilation of the airways, clearance of
secretions, & reduction of inflammation
- Some respiratory meds have single actions whereas others are combination products
with multidrug activity Which conditions are respiratory medications used to treat?
- Allergies and hay fever
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Asthma
- Emphysema and chronic bronchitis
Which bronchodilator should be used as a rescue inhaler and not as a daily medication to
prevent shortness of breath?
- Short-acting inhaled beta2-agonists
Which drug classifications are respiratory drugs? Select all that apply.
- Bronchodilators, Antihistamines, Expectorants, Antitussives, Decongestants
USE OF RESPIRATORY MEDICATIONS
Respiratory medications treat a wide variety of disorders such as allergies and hay fever,
asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, and chronic bronchitis
In emergent situations, adrenergic drugs are administered to increase cardiac output and
promote effective respiration through bronchodilation which can also be helpful
CLASSISFICATION OF
RESPIRATORY DRUGS
, lOMoARcPSD|5734770
TYPES OF BRONCHODILATORS
Bronchodilators are further broken down into
additional categories
Subjective & Objective symptoms help
determine which medication is more
appropriate than another
ANTIHISTAMINES
Antihistamines constrict smooth muscle, especially in the stomach and lungs; decreases
body secretions; and causes arteriolar vasodilation, venous constriction, and increases
capillary permeability
Used to treat allergic rhinitis (e.g., hay fever, mold, dust allergies), anaphylaxis, angioedema,
drug fevers, insect bite reactions, pruritus (itching), and urticaria (hives)
DECONGESTANTS
There are 3 separate groups of nasal decongestants:
1. Adrenergics (Sympathomimetics)
2. Anticholinergics (Parasympatholytics)
3. Selected topical corticosteroids (Intranasal Steroids)
Nasal decongestants have the ability to shrink engorged nasal mucous membranes & relieve
nasal stuffiness
Nasal Steroids are aimed at the inflammatory response elicited by invading organisms
(viruses & bacteria) or other antigens
, lOMoARcPSD|5734770
ANTITUSSIVES
The cough reflex is stimulated when receptors in the bronchi, alveoli, & linings of the lungs are
stretched
- A signal is sent to the cough center in the medulla of the brain, which in turn
stimulates the cough Antitussives work directly on the medulla to suppress the cough
reflex
EXPECTORANTS
Expectorants work to encourage the expectoration (i.e. coughing up & spitting out) of
excessive mucus in the respiratory tract
- They work to break down & thin secretions for easier expectoration
- EX: Guaifenesin
Drag each drug to its correct classification
Antihistamines: loratadine, fexofenadine
Decongestants: fluticasone, triamcinolone
, Antitussives: codeine, dextromethorphan
Expectorants: guaifenesin
SHORT ACTING BETA-ADRENERGIC AGONISTS (SABA)
Bronchodilators are indicated for a variety of respiratory conditions that cause
inflammation and bronchoconstriction of the airway
They cause relaxation and dilation of smooth muscle in the bronchi and bronchioles,
which facilitates the passage of air and promotes oxygenation and ease of breathing
Short-acting beta-adrenergic agonists are indicated for airflow obstructions, such as in the case of
an asthmatic attack
