What is asthma and how does it occur? - Answers -chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways
-intermittent and reversible obstruction of the bronchioles
-happens because of inflammation or hyper responsiveness that leads to bronchoconstriction
What is the drug classification for albuterol? - Answers Beta2-adrenergic agonist?
What are some other Beta2-adrenergic agonists other than albuterol? - Answers -formoterol
-levalbuterol
-salmeterol
-terbutaline
What is the expected pharmacological action of albuterol? - Answers -Selectively activate beta2-
receptors in the bronchial smooth muscle, therefore, causing bronchodilation.
-Bronchospasm is relieved, histamine inhibited, and ciliary motility increased.
What are the routes of albuterol and levalbuterol? - Answers Route:
-inhaled (short acting)
-oral (long acting, albuterol)
What are the therapeutic uses of albuterol and levalbuterol? - Answers Therapeutic uses:
-prevention of exercise induced asthma (30 minutes before)***
-inhaled, short-acting use of prevention of asthma
-treatment of bronchospasm
-long-term control of asthma***
What is the route for formoterol and salmeterol? - Answers inhaled, long acting
What is the therapeutic use of formoterol and salmeterol? - Answers long term control of asthma
What is the route for terbutaline? - Answers oral, long-acting
What is the therapeutic use of terbutaline? - Answers long term control of asthma
What does an antitussive do? - Answers cough suppressant
What does a decongestant do? - Answers decrease overproduction of secretions
, What does an antihistamine do? - Answers block the release of histamines
What does an expectorant do? - Answers increase productive cough to clear airways
What does a mucolytic do? - Answers increase or liquifies secretions to aid in clearing the airways
What are some complications of albuterol and what should an RN consider? - Answers -tachycardia,
angina: b/c of activation of alpha 1 receptors in heart
--observe for chest, jaw, or arm pain or palpitations and notify.
--check pulse and reporst increase of greater than 20-30 bpm
--avoid caffeine
-tremors: b/c of activation of beta2 receptors in skeletal muscle
--usually resolve with continued med use
What are the contraindications/precautions for albuterol? - Answers -PRC C
-tachydysrhythmia
-DM
-hyperthyroidism
-heart disease
-HTN
-angina
What are some drug interactions for albuterol? - Answers -use of beta-adrenergic blockers can negate
effects
-MAOIs and tricyclic antidepressants can increase risk of tachycardia and angina
What can you educate the pt. about albuterol? - Answers -inhale beta2-agonist before inhaling
glucocorticoid. helps enhance absorption of glucocorticoid
-keep track of frequency/intensity of asthma episode. notify MD of increase.
What classification is theophylline? - Answers methylxanthines
What is the expected pharmacological action of theophylline? - Answers -relaxation of bronchial smooth
muscle resulting in bronchodilation