NURS 334 EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS A
+ GRADED
What is allergic rhinitis?
an allergy with symptoms like tearing of the eyes, nasal congestion, sneezing, and
itchiness of the eyes, nose, and throat due to exposure to allergens like pollen, grass,
dust, and smoke.
What are the goals in treating allergic rhinitis?
Relieve acute symptoms and prevent allergies from happening.
Name some medications used for preventing allergic rhinitis.
Antihistamines, intranasal corticosteroids, leukotriene modifiers, and mast cell
stabilizers.
What are decongestants used for in treating allergic rhinitis?
Decongestants are used to relieve symptoms by reducing nasal congestion and can be
taken orally or intranasally.
What is the difference between first-generation and second-generation
antihistamines?
First-generation antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine/Benadryl) cause more
drowsiness compared to second-generation antihistamines (e.g., loratadine/Claritin,
cetirizine/Zyrtec).
What are some uses of antihistamines besides treating allergies?
They can be used for vertigo, motion sickness, insomnia, and to prevent allergic
responses like Redman syndrome with vancomycin or hives.
What are some potential side effects of antihistamines?
Drowsiness, anticholinergic side effects like tachycardia, urinary retention, dry mouth,
constipation, and paradoxical CNS stimulation (especially in children).
Who are antihistamines contraindicated for?
Individuals with BPH, narrow-angle glaucoma, or GI obstruction.
What are intranasal corticosteroids used for in treating allergic rhinitis?
reduce inflammation locally in the nasal passages with fewer side effects compared to
systemic steroids and are often first-line drugs.
How should intranasal corticosteroids be used for best effectiveness?
Preventatively, ideally before the allergy season starts, as they can take 1-3 weeks to
be fully effective.
What is the prototype intranasal corticosteroid mentioned?
Fluticasone (sold over the counter as Flonase).
What are some side effects of intranasal corticosteroids?
Stinging or burning in the nose, drying out of nasal mucosa, and potential nosebleeds
(epistaxis).
What are other drugs mentioned for allergic rhinitis?
Cromolyn (intranasal mast cell stabilizer), montelukast (oral leukotriene modifier), and
ipratropium (intranasal anticholinergic).
What is the primary function of nasal decongestants?
, To relieve nasal congestion by causing peripheral vasoconstriction, which reduces
blood flow and swelling in the nasal passages.
What are some examples of oral and nasal decongestants?
Oral: pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine; Nasal spray: oxymetazoline (Afrin).
Why should nasal decongestants not be used for more than a few days?
They can cause rebound congestion if used for more than 3-5 days.
What are antitussives used for?
To dampen the cough reflex, especially in situations where coughing is not desirable,
such as at night for better rest.
What is the most effective type of antitussive and what is an example?
Opioids, such as codeine.
What is dextromethorphan?
An over-the-counter antitussive chemically similar to opioids but with fewer risks for
dependence and abuse.
: What are expectorants and mucolytics used for?
To control excess mucus by thinning and breaking down mucus, making it easier to
clear from the respiratory passages.
What is the prototype expectorant?
Guaifenesin
What is acetylcysteine used for besides being a mucolytic?
It's used for acetaminophen overdose and can cause bronchospasm as a side effect.
What are the main goals in treating asthma and COPD?
To reduce bronchoconstriction and inflammation in the airways.
What are bronchodilators and what forms can they be administered in?
Drugs that relax and open the airways, administered as nebulizers, dry powder inhalers,
or metered dose inhalers.
What are the two components causing narrowed airways in asthma?
Bronchoconstriction and an inflammatory response with increased mucus.
What is the BAM team in respiratory drugs?
Bronchodilators: Beta adrenergic agonists, Anticholinergics, and Methylxanthines.
What is the SLAM team in respiratory drugs?
Anti-inflammatories: Steroids, Leukotriene modifiers, Anti-IgE antibodies, and Mast cell
stabilizers.
What is the prototype short-acting beta adrenergic agonist (SABA) for asthma
relief?
Albuterol
What are long-acting beta adrenergic agonists (LABAs) used for?
For long-term control of asthma, used daily to maintain open airways.
What are the prototypes for long-acting beta adrenergic agonists (LABAs)?
Salmeterol and formoterol
What is the prototype anticholinergic for respiratory treatment?
Ipratropium.
What are some side effects of beta adrenergic agonists?
Tachycardia, increased blood pressure, tremors, and a nervous feeling due to
sympathetic activation.
What are anticholinergics used for in respiratory treatment?
+ GRADED
What is allergic rhinitis?
an allergy with symptoms like tearing of the eyes, nasal congestion, sneezing, and
itchiness of the eyes, nose, and throat due to exposure to allergens like pollen, grass,
dust, and smoke.
What are the goals in treating allergic rhinitis?
Relieve acute symptoms and prevent allergies from happening.
Name some medications used for preventing allergic rhinitis.
Antihistamines, intranasal corticosteroids, leukotriene modifiers, and mast cell
stabilizers.
What are decongestants used for in treating allergic rhinitis?
Decongestants are used to relieve symptoms by reducing nasal congestion and can be
taken orally or intranasally.
What is the difference between first-generation and second-generation
antihistamines?
First-generation antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine/Benadryl) cause more
drowsiness compared to second-generation antihistamines (e.g., loratadine/Claritin,
cetirizine/Zyrtec).
What are some uses of antihistamines besides treating allergies?
They can be used for vertigo, motion sickness, insomnia, and to prevent allergic
responses like Redman syndrome with vancomycin or hives.
What are some potential side effects of antihistamines?
Drowsiness, anticholinergic side effects like tachycardia, urinary retention, dry mouth,
constipation, and paradoxical CNS stimulation (especially in children).
Who are antihistamines contraindicated for?
Individuals with BPH, narrow-angle glaucoma, or GI obstruction.
What are intranasal corticosteroids used for in treating allergic rhinitis?
reduce inflammation locally in the nasal passages with fewer side effects compared to
systemic steroids and are often first-line drugs.
How should intranasal corticosteroids be used for best effectiveness?
Preventatively, ideally before the allergy season starts, as they can take 1-3 weeks to
be fully effective.
What is the prototype intranasal corticosteroid mentioned?
Fluticasone (sold over the counter as Flonase).
What are some side effects of intranasal corticosteroids?
Stinging or burning in the nose, drying out of nasal mucosa, and potential nosebleeds
(epistaxis).
What are other drugs mentioned for allergic rhinitis?
Cromolyn (intranasal mast cell stabilizer), montelukast (oral leukotriene modifier), and
ipratropium (intranasal anticholinergic).
What is the primary function of nasal decongestants?
, To relieve nasal congestion by causing peripheral vasoconstriction, which reduces
blood flow and swelling in the nasal passages.
What are some examples of oral and nasal decongestants?
Oral: pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine; Nasal spray: oxymetazoline (Afrin).
Why should nasal decongestants not be used for more than a few days?
They can cause rebound congestion if used for more than 3-5 days.
What are antitussives used for?
To dampen the cough reflex, especially in situations where coughing is not desirable,
such as at night for better rest.
What is the most effective type of antitussive and what is an example?
Opioids, such as codeine.
What is dextromethorphan?
An over-the-counter antitussive chemically similar to opioids but with fewer risks for
dependence and abuse.
: What are expectorants and mucolytics used for?
To control excess mucus by thinning and breaking down mucus, making it easier to
clear from the respiratory passages.
What is the prototype expectorant?
Guaifenesin
What is acetylcysteine used for besides being a mucolytic?
It's used for acetaminophen overdose and can cause bronchospasm as a side effect.
What are the main goals in treating asthma and COPD?
To reduce bronchoconstriction and inflammation in the airways.
What are bronchodilators and what forms can they be administered in?
Drugs that relax and open the airways, administered as nebulizers, dry powder inhalers,
or metered dose inhalers.
What are the two components causing narrowed airways in asthma?
Bronchoconstriction and an inflammatory response with increased mucus.
What is the BAM team in respiratory drugs?
Bronchodilators: Beta adrenergic agonists, Anticholinergics, and Methylxanthines.
What is the SLAM team in respiratory drugs?
Anti-inflammatories: Steroids, Leukotriene modifiers, Anti-IgE antibodies, and Mast cell
stabilizers.
What is the prototype short-acting beta adrenergic agonist (SABA) for asthma
relief?
Albuterol
What are long-acting beta adrenergic agonists (LABAs) used for?
For long-term control of asthma, used daily to maintain open airways.
What are the prototypes for long-acting beta adrenergic agonists (LABAs)?
Salmeterol and formoterol
What is the prototype anticholinergic for respiratory treatment?
Ipratropium.
What are some side effects of beta adrenergic agonists?
Tachycardia, increased blood pressure, tremors, and a nervous feeling due to
sympathetic activation.
What are anticholinergics used for in respiratory treatment?
