Respiratory and Cardiovascular Pathophysiology and Pharmacology

Flashcards covering the pathophysiology of respiratory and cardiovascular disorders along with their associated pharmacological treatments based on lecture notes.

Influenza

A viral infection of the upper and lower respiratory tract transmitted by respiratory droplets; it invades cells causing death, inflammation, and difficulty breathing, with risk factors including extremes of age and seasonal outbreaks.

Pneumonia

Inflammation of the alveoli filled with fluid or pus from bacteria, viruses, or aspiration that impairs gas exchange and diffusion due to the formation of exudate.

Tuberculosis (TB)

An infection caused by airborne droplets where macrophages engulf the bacteria but cannot destroy it, leading to the formation of a granuloma (tubercle) and a latent infection that can be reactivated.

Hemoptysis

The hallmark sign of Tuberculosis, characterized by coughing up blood.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

A progressive and irreversible airflow limitation consisting of emphysema (alveolar destruction and air trapping) and chronic bronchitis (excess mucus and narrowing).

Barrel Chest

A manifestation of emphysema caused by $CO_2$ accumulation and hyperinflation of the lungs.

Oseltamivir

An antiviral medication used to treat the flu; it must be taken within $48$ hours of symptom onset to be effective.

SABA (Short-Acting Beta-2 Adrenergic Agonists)

A first-line rescue medication (e.g., Albuterol) that causes bronchodilation for rapid airflow relief within minutes but is not for daily control.

LABA (Long-Acting Beta-2 Adrenergic Agonists)

A medication providing sustained bronchodilation to decrease attack risk; it is not for acute attacks and should be combined with Inhaled Corticosteroids (ICS).

Montelukast (Singulair)

A leukotriene modifier used as a daily controller for asthma that carries a BLACK BOX warning for neuropsychiatric symptoms such as suicide, anxiety, and depression.

Hypertension

Elevated blood pressure over $130/80$ occurring due to excessive blood volume or resistance in narrowed blood vessels; known as the silent killer because it damages organs over time.

Hyperlipidemia (HLD)

A condition where fatty plaques build up inside arterial walls, often silent for years; diagnosis is made when levels reach $160$ (normal is $100$).

Atherosclerosis

An inflammatory disease where lipid accumulation and foam cells create fatty streaks in the artery, leading to plaque formation and obstruction.

Hydrochlorothiazide

A thiazide diuretic that promotes $Na$, $Cl$, and water excretion in the distal convoluted tubule to lower blood pressure; requires monitoring for hypokalemia.

Furosemide

A loop diuretic with a rapid onset that blocks sodium and chloride in the loop of Henle; nursing considerations include monitoring for diuresis, hypokalemia, and ototoxicity (hearing loss).

Spironolactone

A potassium-sparing diuretic that promotes $Na$ secretion while retaining $K$; it carries a risk of hyperkalemia and side effects like gynecomastia.

Lisinopril

An ACE inhibitor that blocks the conversion of $AI$ to $AII$ to cause vasodilation; side effects include a dry cough and swelling (angioedema) around the eyes and lips.

Losartan

An Angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) that prevents vasoconstriction and lowers blood pressure; it has a lower risk of dry cough compared to ACE inhibitors but still carries a hyperkalemia risk.

Amlodipine

A calcium channel blocker that inhibits calcium influx into muscle cells to cause vasodilation; a common side effect is peripheral edema.

Metoprolol

A beta-adrenergic antagonist that decreases heart rate and contractility; it should not be given to patients with asthma.

Prazosin

An alpha-1 adrenergic antagonist that causes vasodilation; it often causes orthostatic hypotension, so the first dose should be given before bed.

Clonidine

An alpha-2 adrenergic agonist that decreases sympathetic outflow from the CNS to reduce peripheral vascular resistance and heart rate; it must never be abruptly discontinued.

Lovastatin

A statin that lowers $LDL$ and raises $HDL$ by inhibiting cholesterol synthesis in the liver; patients must avoid grapefruit juice and monitor for muscle pain (myopathy).

Fenofibrate

A fibric acid derivative that lowers triglycerides by increasing lipoprotein lipase activity; it carries a risk of gallstone formation.

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)

Narrowing of arteries by plaque in the lower extremities, leading to ischemia and characteristically causing intermittent claudication.

Intermittent Claudication

A hallmark manifestation of PAD characterized by pain during activity that is relieved by rest.

Stable Angina

A predictable form of chest pain caused by myocardial ischemia where oxygen supply cannot meet demand during exertion, but is relieved by rest or sublingual nitroglycerin.

Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)

A spectrum of conditions including unstable angina, NSTEMI (partial occlusion, $troponin$ rise), and STEMI (complete blockage, $ST$ elevation).

Atrial Arrhythmias

Irregular atrial rhythms (e.g., A-fib) characterized by the loss of the atrial kick, a rate of $300-600$, and the absence of a $P$ wave on an ECG.

Ventricular Arrhythmias

Life-threatening rhythms where the ventricles quiver, resulting in no cardiac output or pulse; requires immediate defibrillation.

Right-sided Heart Failure

Failure of the right ventricle to pump into pulmonary circulation, causing blood to back up systemically, leading to jugular vein distention, ascites, and pitting edema.

Left-sided Heart Failure

The most common type of heart failure where blood accumulates in pulmonary circulation, leading to respiratory symptoms, pulmonary edema, and crackles.

Acetylsalicylic acid

An antiplatelet used for PAD or CAD to decrease MI risk; side effects include GI irritation, bleeding, and tinnitus (a sign of toxicity).

Heparin

An anticoagulant that interrupts the clotting cascade; nursing considerations include monitoring $aPTT$ ($60-100$ seconds) and using protamine sulfate as an antidote.

Warfarin

A high-alert vitamin K antagonist requiring frequent monitoring of $PT$ and $INR$ ($2-3$); patients must avoid large changes in leafy green intake.

Nitroglycerin

An antianginal that causes vasodilation to decrease cardiac workload; can be taken up to $3$ doses $5$ minutes apart and must be stored in a dark glass bottle.

Amiodarone

An antiarrhythmic that blocks $K$ channels to slow cardiac conduction; side effects include pulmonary fibrosis, hepatotoxicity, and thyroid dysfunction.

Diltiazem

A medication used for A-fib that blocks $Ca$ channels in the $SA/AV$ nodes to slow heart rate; patients should avoid grapefruit juice.