Assignment: Respiratory System

In the United States, 12 million people suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, n.d.), and about 25 million people suffer from asthma (CDC, 2011). Since various symptoms are associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and other common respiratory disorders, a single patient might be prescribed multiple drugs for treatment. Consider an 8-year-old asthmatic patient who frequently presents with acute asthma exacerbations that are triggered by seasonal allergies. As a result of his disorder, he might be prescribed albuterol to treat asthma attacks and Clarinex to treat allergic reactions. This requires you, as the advanced practice nurse, to be aware of risks of polypharmacy and patient factors that impact the effects of drugs.

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This week you examine types of drugs prescribed to patients with respiratory disorders, as well as the impact of patient factors on the effects of drugs. You also explore ways to improve patient treatment plans including suggested drug therapies. Finally, you examine asthma treatment and management.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this week, students will:

Analyze types of drugs prescribed to treat respiratory disorders
Evaluate the impact of patient factors on the effects of prescribed drugs for respiratory disorders
Evaluate drug therapy plans for respiratory disorders
Assess the impact of asthma treatments on patients
Analyze the stepwise approach to asthma treatment and management
Understand and apply key terms, concepts, and principles related to prescribing drugs to treat respiratory disorders

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Learning Resources

This page contains the Learning Resources for this week. Be sure to scroll down the page to see all of this week’s assigned Learning Resources. To access select media resources, please use the media player below.

REQUIRED READINGS

Arcangelo, V. P., Peterson, A. M., Wilbur, V., & Reinhold, J. A. (Eds.). (2017). Pharmacotherapeutics for advanced practice: A practical approach (4th ed.). Ambler, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Chapter 18, “Otitis Media and Otitis Externa” (pp. 243-252)
This chapter compares the causes and pathophysiology of two common ear infections—otitis media and otitis externa. It also identifies types of drugs used to treat these ear infections.

Chapter 24, “Upper Respiratory Infections” (pp. 259-374)
This chapter explores the causes, pathophysiology, and diagnostic criteria of two upper respiratory infections—the common cold and sinusitis—as well as drug therapy for both infections. It also covers monitoring patient response and patient education of drug therapy for these infections.

Chapter 25, “Asthma” (pp. 377-392)
This chapter examines the causes, pathophysiology, pharmacogenomics, and diagnostic criteria of asthma. It also outlines suggested drug therapy plans for asthmatic patients.

Chapter 26, “Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease” (pp. 395-406)
This chapter explains the causes and pathophysiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It also examines the process of selecting, administering, and managing drug therapy for COPD patients.

Chapter 27, “Bronchitis and Pneumonia” (pp. 407-424)
This chapter begins by examining the causes, pathophysiology, and diagnostic criteria of acute bronchitis, chronic bronchitis, and community-acquired pneumonia. It then explores the process of selecting, administering, and managing drug therapy for patients with bronchitis and pneumonia.

National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. (2007). Expert panel report 3 (EPR3): Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of asthma. Retrieved from http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/asthma/asthgdl…
This website presents guidelines for diagnosing and managing asthma and outlines treatment recommendations for specific age groups.

OPTIONAL RESOURCES

Refer to the Optional Resources listed in Week 1.