Question

• create a chart comparing the respiratory drugs that affect the sympathetic nervous system with those that affect the parasympathetic nervous system.
  

• identify teaching points that should be included when instructing a patient on the use of an inhaler.
  

• Discuss how the mechanisms of action differ between the medications used for acute and chronic asthma.

Answer 1

Respiratory drugs:
Parasympathetic nervous system and sympathetic nervous system:
-Beta-adrenergic agonists
-Anticholinergic
-Corticosteroids
-Leukotriene modifiers
-Mast cell stabilizers
The human airway acts via efferent and afferent autonomic nerves it regulates the airway functions. It helps the relaxation of smooth muscles of the bronchioles when the oxygen level is low in the blood and constricts the bronchioles when the oxygen level is normal. The sympathetic nervous system cause speeds up the respiratory rate and the parasympathetic nervous system causes slow breathing rates. It serves as a restorative function. parasympathetic nerves are the main function of respiratory activity. Adrenergic and cholinergic have a stimulatory effect.
Patient education to use the inhaler:
-Advice the patient to remove the cap and load the capsule in the device
-Breathe out slowly and completely
-Place the mouthpiece between teeth and seal the lips.
-Breath in quickly and deeply for 2 to 3 seconds
-Remove the inhaler and hold the breath for 10 seconds
-breath out slowly through the nose
-clean the inhaler with a dry cloth, not with soap and water
-for effective use for at least 3 months
-never swallow the medication
-Advice the patient in case of any side effects must see the doctor
Chronic inflammation associated with permanent alteration in the airway.
Acute inflammation associated with severe and sudden onset
For acute asthma symptoms, albuterol and corticosteroids suppress the airway inflammation.
In chronic inflammtion, there will be structural damage to the airway. The medication acts in the immune system and blocks the action of antibodies and reduce the immune system reaction.