NURS 572 Pharm Exam 2 Study Guide 2026–2027 |
Practice Questions & Verified Answers
Definition of asthma and underlying cause - correct answers -chronic inflammatory disorder of the
airway- cause is immune-mediated airway inflammation
S&S of asthma - correct answers --Sense of breathlessness & tightness in the chest
-Wheezing
-Dyspnea
-Cough
Definition of COPD and most common cause - correct answers --Chronic, progressive, largely irreversible
disorder characterized by airflow restrictions and inflammation
-Common cause is smoking cigarettes
S&S of COPD - correct answers --chronic cough
-excessive sputum production
-wheezing
-dyspnea
-poor exercise tolerance
What two conditions make up COPD - correct answers -1. Chronic bronchitis
2. Emphysema
1
,What are the 3 advantages of administering inhaled antiasthma drugs? - correct answers -1.
Therapeutic effects enhanced by delivering drugs directly to site of action
2. Systemic effects minimized
3. Rapid relief of acute attacks
What type of drugs are used for long-term management of asthma and COPD? - correct answers -Anti-
inflammatory drugs, such as glucocorticoids
What is the prototype drug for glucocorticoids? - correct answers -Beclomethasone (QVAR)
MOA of Beclomethasone (QVAR) - correct answers --Reduce asthma symptoms by suppressing
inflammation:
->Decrease synthesis and release of inflammatory mediators (i.e. leukotrienes, histamine,
prostaglandins)
-> Decreased infiltration and activity of inflammatory cells (e.g. eosinophils, leukocytes)
-> Decreased edema of airway mucosa
-Suppressing inflammatory reduces bronchial hyperreactiviy and decreases airway mucosa production
Therapeutic uses of Beclomethasone (QVAR) - correct answers --Prophylaxis of chronic asthma
2
,ADEs of inhaled glucocorticoids - correct answers --Adrenal insufficiency (SAFETY ALERT)
-Oropharyngeal candidiasis and dysphonia
-Slowed growth in children
-Bone loss
ADEs of oral glucorticoids - correct answers --Adrenal suppression
-Osteoporosis
-Hyperglycemia
-Peptic ulcer disease
-Growth suppression
Nursing implications for Beclomethasone (QVAR) - correct answers --Instruct Pt to take on a regular
schedule, not PRN
Non-prototype drug for Mast Cell Stabilizer - correct answers -Cromolyn (Intal)
Cromolyn MOA - correct answers --Suppresses inflammation by stabilizing the cytoplasmic membrane
of mast cells ,preventing release of histamine and other mediators
Therapeutic uses of Cromolyn - correct answers --Prophylaxis for mild-moderate chronic asthma
->NOT for quick relief
->Used when glucocorticoids create problems
3
, Purpose of bronchodilators - correct answers -Provide symptomatic relief in patients with asthma and
COPD, but do not alter underlying inflammation
What type of drug is the most effective for relieving acute bronchospasm and preventing EIB? - correct
answers -inhaled beta2 agonists
Beta2 agonist MOA - correct answers --Sympathomimetic drugs that activate beta2-adrenergic
receptors in the smooth muscle of the lungs
->Promotes bronchodilation--> relieves bronchospasm
Therapeutic uses of short acting beta2 agonists (SABAs) - correct answers --Taken PRN to stop an
ongoing attack
-In Pts w/ EIB, SABAs are taken before exercise
SABA safety alert - correct answers --Taking SABAs in excess can lead to tachydysrhythmias, angina,
seizures, cardiac arrest and death
-If you need your SABA more than 2x/week, asthma therapy needs modification
Therapeutic uses for LABAs - correct answers --Long-term control in patients with frequent asthma
attacks or stable COPD
-In Pts with asthma, LABAs are not the first line therapy and must be combined with a glucocorticoid
-LABA use alone is contraindicated b/c can cause asthma-associated death
Therapeutic uses for oral beta2-agonists - correct answers -Long term control of asthma and stable
COPD
4
Practice Questions & Verified Answers
Definition of asthma and underlying cause - correct answers -chronic inflammatory disorder of the
airway- cause is immune-mediated airway inflammation
S&S of asthma - correct answers --Sense of breathlessness & tightness in the chest
-Wheezing
-Dyspnea
-Cough
Definition of COPD and most common cause - correct answers --Chronic, progressive, largely irreversible
disorder characterized by airflow restrictions and inflammation
-Common cause is smoking cigarettes
S&S of COPD - correct answers --chronic cough
-excessive sputum production
-wheezing
-dyspnea
-poor exercise tolerance
What two conditions make up COPD - correct answers -1. Chronic bronchitis
2. Emphysema
1
,What are the 3 advantages of administering inhaled antiasthma drugs? - correct answers -1.
Therapeutic effects enhanced by delivering drugs directly to site of action
2. Systemic effects minimized
3. Rapid relief of acute attacks
What type of drugs are used for long-term management of asthma and COPD? - correct answers -Anti-
inflammatory drugs, such as glucocorticoids
What is the prototype drug for glucocorticoids? - correct answers -Beclomethasone (QVAR)
MOA of Beclomethasone (QVAR) - correct answers --Reduce asthma symptoms by suppressing
inflammation:
->Decrease synthesis and release of inflammatory mediators (i.e. leukotrienes, histamine,
prostaglandins)
-> Decreased infiltration and activity of inflammatory cells (e.g. eosinophils, leukocytes)
-> Decreased edema of airway mucosa
-Suppressing inflammatory reduces bronchial hyperreactiviy and decreases airway mucosa production
Therapeutic uses of Beclomethasone (QVAR) - correct answers --Prophylaxis of chronic asthma
2
,ADEs of inhaled glucocorticoids - correct answers --Adrenal insufficiency (SAFETY ALERT)
-Oropharyngeal candidiasis and dysphonia
-Slowed growth in children
-Bone loss
ADEs of oral glucorticoids - correct answers --Adrenal suppression
-Osteoporosis
-Hyperglycemia
-Peptic ulcer disease
-Growth suppression
Nursing implications for Beclomethasone (QVAR) - correct answers --Instruct Pt to take on a regular
schedule, not PRN
Non-prototype drug for Mast Cell Stabilizer - correct answers -Cromolyn (Intal)
Cromolyn MOA - correct answers --Suppresses inflammation by stabilizing the cytoplasmic membrane
of mast cells ,preventing release of histamine and other mediators
Therapeutic uses of Cromolyn - correct answers --Prophylaxis for mild-moderate chronic asthma
->NOT for quick relief
->Used when glucocorticoids create problems
3
, Purpose of bronchodilators - correct answers -Provide symptomatic relief in patients with asthma and
COPD, but do not alter underlying inflammation
What type of drug is the most effective for relieving acute bronchospasm and preventing EIB? - correct
answers -inhaled beta2 agonists
Beta2 agonist MOA - correct answers --Sympathomimetic drugs that activate beta2-adrenergic
receptors in the smooth muscle of the lungs
->Promotes bronchodilation--> relieves bronchospasm
Therapeutic uses of short acting beta2 agonists (SABAs) - correct answers --Taken PRN to stop an
ongoing attack
-In Pts w/ EIB, SABAs are taken before exercise
SABA safety alert - correct answers --Taking SABAs in excess can lead to tachydysrhythmias, angina,
seizures, cardiac arrest and death
-If you need your SABA more than 2x/week, asthma therapy needs modification
Therapeutic uses for LABAs - correct answers --Long-term control in patients with frequent asthma
attacks or stable COPD
-In Pts with asthma, LABAs are not the first line therapy and must be combined with a glucocorticoid
-LABA use alone is contraindicated b/c can cause asthma-associated death
Therapeutic uses for oral beta2-agonists - correct answers -Long term control of asthma and stable
COPD
4
