Chapter 10 Respiratory Drugs
Quiz Yourself
1. Sympathomimetic bronchodilator drugs
stimulate beta2 receptors in the smooth
muscle around the bronchi (they mimic the
action of epinephrine from the sympathetic
division of the nervous system). Xanthine
derivative bronchodilator drugs act directly
on smooth muscle around the bronchi and
stimulate the respiratory center in the brain.
Anticholinergic bronchodilator drugs block
the action of acetylcholine on muscarinic
receptors in the smooth muscle around
bronchi.
2. False.
3. A metered-dose inhaler (MDI) is an Lshaped device. The top of the device holds asmall, removable metal canister that containsthe drug in an aerosol form. The patient holds the device in an upright “L” position,puts the mouthpiece in the mouth, presses down on the canister, and then inhales theaerosol drug.
A Diskus is a round device that contains
the drug in a powdered form. The
patient holds the Diskus in a horizontal position, slides the lever to release one dose of drug, puts the mouthpiece into the mouth, and then inhales the powdered drug.
A Handihaler contains three pieces:
a base that holds a capsule that contains
the powdered drug, a mouthpiece, and a
protective upper cap. After a capsule is
inserted into a small chamber in the base,
the mouthpiece is snapped into place over
the base, and the capsule-piercing button
is pushed to break open the capsule and
release the powder. The patient puts the
mouthpiece into the mouth and inhales the
powdered drug.
A Turbuhaler and a Twisthaler are
similar in that each consists of a protective
cap and a combination mouthpiece and
base that contains the powdered drug. As
the cap is twisted off from the base, a new
dose of powdered drug is prepared. The
patient holds the Turbuhaler vertically and
the Twisthaler horizontally, inserts the
mouthpiece into the mouth, and inhales the
powdered drug.
4. Mast cell stabilizer drugs are used to prevent asthma attacks. Mast cell stabilizer
drugs stabilize the cell membrane of mast
cells and prevent them from releasing histamine during the immune system’s response to an antigen. This prevents bronchospasm in patients with asthma due to allergies.
5. The monoclonal antibody drug omalizumab (Xolair) must be given by subcutaneous injection in the doctor’s office.
6. The suffix –mab at the end of a generic drug name means that it is a monoclonal antibody drug.
7. The bacterium Legionnella pneumophilia,
was named for its first recognized outbreak,
which occurred in 1976 at an American
Legion convention in Philadelphia. The bacterium is especially attracted to the
environment of the lungs, and so its full scientificname is Legionnella (based on where it originated) and pneumophilia (which means thing that loves the lungs).
8. Tuberculosis is caused by the bacterium
Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
9. These are the six primary drugs used to
treat tuberculosis.
ethambutol (Myambutol)
isoniazid (INH) (Nydrazid)
pyrazinamide
rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane)
rifapentine (Priftin)
streptomycin
10. Tuberculosis patients who refuse to (or are unable to) be compliant with drug treatment may be required to participate in
directly observed therapy (DOT), in which
the patient must come to a clinic each day
and be observed while actually taking
each dose.
11. True.
12. Drugs such as Nicoderm CQ are nicotine drugs that provide a gradual withdrawal from nicotine to diminish the craving andhelp persons to successfully stop smoking. Varenicline (Chantix) binds to nicotine receptors and blocks them from being activated by nicotine.
13. The syllable sur or surf in drugs used to
treat respiratory distress syndrome means
that those drugs contain surfactant to reduce surface tension to prevent the lungs from collapsing with each breath.
14. a. bronchodilator drug
b. mast cell stabilizer drug
c. corticosteroid drug
d. drug used to treat tuberculosis
e. leukotriene receptor blocker drug
f. bronchodilator drug
g. drug used to treat tuberculosis
h. bronchodilator drug
i. corticosteroid drug
j. drug used to stop smoking
k. leukotriene receptor blocker drug
Clinical Applications Questions
1. a. albuterol
b. ProAir HFA, Proventil HFA, Ventolin HFA
c. bronchodilator drug
d. To relax the smooth muscle around the
bronchi so that they can dilate, and this
increases air flow.
2. a. Flovent inhaler and albuterol inhaler
b. Flovent inhaler, 110 micrograms per milliliter,
2 puffs twice a day. Albuterol
inhaler, 2 puffs every 4 hours as needed.
3. a. funisolide
b. AeroBid
c. No, this is the same drug because Aero-
Bid is the trade name for the generic
drug funisolide.
d. albuterol
e. Ventolin
f. Funisolide (AeroBid) is a corticosteroid
drug that reduces inflammation and
tissue edema that is associated with
asthma and other chronic lung diseases
and thereby prevents acute attacks.
Albuterol (Ventolin) is a bronchodilator
drug that relaxes the smooth muscle
around the bronchi and lets them
enlarge. This increases air flow during an
asthma attack.
4. The drugs are different (the green Diskus
contains salmeterol [Serevent] while the
red Diskus contains fluticasone [Flovent]).
The doses are different (the green Diskus
has a dose of 50 mcg while the red Diskus
has a dose of 100 mcg). Their therapeutic
effects are different (the green Diskus contains bronchodilator drug while the red
Diskus contains a corticosteroid drug).
5. a. Combivent
b. ipratropium and albuterol
c. Both are bronchodilator drugs.
d. inhalation
e. It contains 200 metered actuations (puffs).