Asthma Medications Practice Problems PDF

## Asthma Medications - **Short-acting beta2- agonists:** - Relieves bronchospasm - PRN rescue medication - Use no more than twice per week - Should be used with an inhaled glucocorticoid if used more than twice per week - **Long-acting beta2- agonists:** - Used for ma...

## Asthma Medications - **Short-acting beta2- agonists:** - Relieves bronchospasm - PRN rescue medication - Use no more than twice per week - Should be used with an inhaled glucocorticoid if used more than twice per week - **Long-acting beta2- agonists:** - Used for maintenance therapy - Reduces the frequency of attacks - Should be used with an inhaled glucocorticoid ## Inhaled Glucocorticoids - **Advantages:** - Easy to use - Local delivery to the lungs - Mild systemic effects - Effective for long-term use - **Disadvantages:** - Restricted dosage flexibility ## Medications for Allergies - **First-generation antihistamines:** - Causes sedation - **Second-generation antihistamines:** - Low lipid solubility - Do not cross the blood-brain barrier - Do not cause sedation ## Medications for Hyperlipidemia - **Ezetimibe** - Blocks the absorption of cholesterol in the intestinal tract - Side effects include myopathy, hepatitis, pancreatitis, and thrombocytopenia. - **Glucocorticoids** - Can inhibit bone growth - Can result in weight gain - Can result in hypertension - Can cause restlessness, agitation, and irritability ## Medications for Angina - **Nitroglycerin** - Acts by relaxing or preventing spasms in the coronary arteries - Decreases oxygen demand of the heart - Transdermal patch should be placed on a hairless area of the body - Should be rotated to a different area of the body every few days ## Medications for Heart Failure - **Furosemide** - A high-ceiling loop diuretic - Depletes potassium, sodium, chloride, magnesium, and water - Should be used with foods high in potassium ## Medications for Atrial Fibrillation - **Diltiazem** - Blocks calcium channels in the heart and blood vessels, thereby lowering blood pressure. - Contraindicated in clients with hypotension. - Used during cardiovascular to treat atrial fibrillation ## Medications for Thrombophlebitis - **Heparin** - Administered using an electronic IV pump ## Medications for Chronic Asthma - **Cromolyn sodium** - A mast cell inhibitor - Prophylactic treatment of asthma - Should be rinsed out of the mouth after use - **Methylprednisolone** - An oral glucocorticoid - Effective for long-term treatment and management of asthma ## Medications for Severe Asthma - **Omalizumab** - Reduces the number of IgE molecules on mast cells ## Warfarin - **Adverse Effects:** - Bleeding ## Medications for Venous Thrombosis - **Warfarin** - Clients prescribed warfarin should avoid aspirin and ibuprofen due to antiplatelet effects - aPTT is used to monitor heparin therapy, not warfarin therapy. - Warfarin therapy is evaluated by PT and the INR which are drawn daily for the first 5 days and then twice weekly for the next 1-2 weeks - Vitamin K has the potential reduce the anticoagulant effects of warfarin ## Medications for Myocardial Infarction - **Alteplase** - A thrombolytic medication - Adverse effect is bleeding ## Drugs for Anaphylaxis - **Epinephrine** - Should be administered as the first line of treatment. - Common adverse effects include hypertension. Side effects can include tachycardia and dysrhythmias. ## Medication for COPD - **Tiotropium** - Long-acting anticholinergic inhaled medication - Common adverse effect is dry mouth ## Clopidogrel - An antiplatelet medication - Inhibits the aggregation of platelets - Monitor clients for recent myocardial infarction ## Aspirin - Suppresses platelet aggregation - Used for an immediate antithrombotic effect ## Medications for Bronchospasm - **Albuterol** - Short-acting beta-2 adrenergic agonist - Used for acute asthma attacks ## Medications for Addison's Disease - **Fludrocortisone** - Maintains electrolyte and fluid balance - **Sodium Phosphate ** - Can cause electrolyte imbalance due to excess fluid loss. - **Digoxin ** - Used for heart failure - Contraindicated in clients with a heart rate of less than 60 bpm - Common adverse effects include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and visual disturbances. ## Medications NOT indicated for a viral infection - **Aspirin** - Risk of Reye's Syndrome ## Medications contraindicated for a client with a viral infection - **Ibuprofen** - Can decrease the efficacy of furosemide