midterm meds

• Medication Class: Short-Acting Beta Agonists (SABAs)

    ◦ Use: Quick-Relief / Rescue agents; used to treat acute attacks.

    ◦ Examples: Albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin), Levalbuterol (Xopenex).

    ◦ Action: Relax the bronchiole smooth muscles.

    ◦ Key Side Effects: Skeletal muscle tremors, Tachycardia, Palpitations, Hypokalemia.

• Medication Class: Short-Acting Anticholinergics (Muscarinic Antagonists)

    ◦ Use: Used for acute exacerbation.

    ◦ Example: Ipratropium (Atrovent).

    ◦ Action: Prevents bronchoconstriction and bronchospasms, and decreases pulmonary secretions.

    ◦ Key Warning: Report headache, blurred vision, or palpitations, as these can indicate toxicity.

• Medication Class: Systemic Corticosteroids (PO/IV)

    ◦ Use: Short-term anti-inflammatory agent for exacerbations (e.g., IV Methylprednisolone for Status Asthmaticus).

    ◦ Examples: Methylprednisolone (IV), Prednisone (PO).

    ◦ Key Side Effects: Hyperglycemia, Fluid retention, Weight gain, GI Bleed, Decreased immunity, Decreased bone density.

Category 2: Long-Term Control / Maintenance Medications

• Medication Class: Long-Acting Beta Agonists (LABAs)

    ◦ Use: Maintenance therapy. Often used as a combination treatment with Inhaled Corticosteroids (ICS).

    ◦ Examples: Formoterol (Symbicort), Salmeterol (Serevent Diskus).

    ◦ Key Side Effects: Skeletal muscle tremors, Tachycardia, Palpitations, Hypokalemia.

• Medication Class: Inhaled Corticosteroids (ICS) (Anti-Inflammatory)

    ◦ Use: Long-Term Control. Used in combination with LABAs and LAMAs for COPD.

    ◦ Examples: Beclomethasone (Qvar), Budesonide (Pulmicort), Fluticasone (Flovent).

    ◦ Key Nursing Point: Client must rinse mouth after use to prevent Oral Thrush/Oropharyngeal candidiasis.

• Medication Class: Long-Acting Anticholinergics (Muscarinic Antagonists)

    ◦ Use: Maintenance therapy.

    ◦ Examples: Tiotropium (Spiriva), Glycopyrronium.

    ◦ Action: Prevents bronchoconstriction and decreases pulmonary secretions.

    ◦ Side Effects: Dry mouth, Cough, Urinary retention, UTIs, Constipation, Nausea, Dizziness, Dyspepsia.

• Medication Class: Theophylline (Methylxanthine)

    ◦ Use: Long-acting agent primarily for COPD. Considered a last resort.

    ◦ Action: Relaxes smooth muscle in the airways and creates mild bronchodilation.

    ◦ Key Nursing Point: Requires routine monitoring of blood levels.

    ◦ Side Effects: Tachycardia, Tremors, Hyperglycemia, Hypokalemia, Vomiting.

Category 3: Adjunctive & Emergency Medications

• Medication Class: Mucolytic Agents

    ◦ Use: COPD Symptom Management; helps thin secretions.

    ◦ Examples: Acetylcysteine, Guaifenesin.

• Medication: IV Magnesium Sulfate

    ◦ Use: Part of the treatment protocol for Status Asthmaticus (life-threatening severe acute asthma).

• Medication: IV Epinephrine infusion

    ◦ Use: Part of the treatment protocol for Status Asthmaticus if the patient is hypotensive.