NR 293 / NR293
(EDAPT WEEK 3)
Gas Exchange
Pharmacology For Nursing Practice
, lOMoARcPSD|51648332
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 1 st, 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
Downloaded by Benjamin Luca ()
, lOMoARcPSD|51648332
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
Downloaded by Benjamin Luca ()
, lOMoARcPSD|51648332
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
Downloaded by Benjamin Luca ()
(EDAPT WEEK 3)
Gas Exchange
Pharmacology For Nursing Practice
, lOMoARcPSD|51648332
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 1 st, 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
Downloaded by Benjamin Luca ()
, lOMoARcPSD|51648332
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
Downloaded by Benjamin Luca ()
, lOMoARcPSD|51648332
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
Downloaded by Benjamin Luca ()
