Pharm week 3 extra learning
EXTRA LEARNING
1. Your patient has an order for salmeterol (Serevent), 2 puffs, and beclomethasone (Qvar), 2
puffs, by metered dose inhaler. You give the medication by:
A alternating a single puff of each, beginning with the beclomethasone
B salmeterol first and then beclomethasone
C alternating a single puff of each, beginning with the salmeterol
D beclomethasone first and then salmeterol
2. Alice has been treated for asthma for several months and has the following inhalers: albuterol
(Proventil) and fluticasone (Flovent). Which one should she choose if she experiences an
asthma attack? Explain your answer. What patient counseling would you provide Alice
regarding these two medications?
3. Several months ago, the physician prescribed an orally administered corticosteroid for Mr.
Z., who has chronic bronchial asthma.
A What are the disadvantages of administering the corticosteroids orally? Is there a
better alternative route?
B Today the physician adds beclomethasone dipropionate HFA (Qvar) to Mr. Z.’s drug
regimen and also reduces the dosage of the oral corticosteroid. Is that safe?
C What instructions regarding the use of inhaled medications should be provided to all new
users?
ANSWERS
1. B
Salmeterol is an adrenergic type of bronchodilator and beclomethasone is
a glucocorticoid. Bronchodilators are always administered before glucocorticoids when both are given
on the same schedule. This allows for widening of the air passages by the bronchodilator, which then
makes the glucocorticoid more effective.
2. The albuterol inhaler is a short acting beta-agonist that can be used to
treat acute bronchospasms. Patients may experience tachycardia with albuterol.
EXTRA LEARNING
1. Your patient has an order for salmeterol (Serevent), 2 puffs, and beclomethasone (Qvar), 2
puffs, by metered dose inhaler. You give the medication by:
A alternating a single puff of each, beginning with the beclomethasone
B salmeterol first and then beclomethasone
C alternating a single puff of each, beginning with the salmeterol
D beclomethasone first and then salmeterol
2. Alice has been treated for asthma for several months and has the following inhalers: albuterol
(Proventil) and fluticasone (Flovent). Which one should she choose if she experiences an
asthma attack? Explain your answer. What patient counseling would you provide Alice
regarding these two medications?
3. Several months ago, the physician prescribed an orally administered corticosteroid for Mr.
Z., who has chronic bronchial asthma.
A What are the disadvantages of administering the corticosteroids orally? Is there a
better alternative route?
B Today the physician adds beclomethasone dipropionate HFA (Qvar) to Mr. Z.’s drug
regimen and also reduces the dosage of the oral corticosteroid. Is that safe?
C What instructions regarding the use of inhaled medications should be provided to all new
users?
ANSWERS
1. B
Salmeterol is an adrenergic type of bronchodilator and beclomethasone is
a glucocorticoid. Bronchodilators are always administered before glucocorticoids when both are given
on the same schedule. This allows for widening of the air passages by the bronchodilator, which then
makes the glucocorticoid more effective.
2. The albuterol inhaler is a short acting beta-agonist that can be used to
treat acute bronchospasms. Patients may experience tachycardia with albuterol.
