24: Upper Respiratory Disorder Drugs
- Page ID
- 90338
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)- 24.0: Introduction
- This page covers common upper respiratory drugs such as antihistamines, decongestants, antitussives, expectorants, and mucolytics. It discusses their applications for allergies, colds, and coughs, along with their indications and potential side effects. The chapter also highlights nursing considerations and offers client education regarding these medications.
- 24.1: Antihistamines and Decongestants
- This page provides an overview of antihistamines and decongestants used for respiratory disorders, including their characteristics and nursing implications. It highlights first-, second-, and third-generation antihistamines, noting differences in side effects and safety profiles.
- 24.2: Antitussives
- This page discusses antitussive drugs used for respiratory disorders, detailing opioid (e.g., codeine) and nonopioid (e.g., benzonatate) options, their effects, risks, and nursing considerations. It highlights the potential for misuse, particularly with opioids, necessitating careful monitoring, especially in older adults.
- 24.3: Expectorants and Mucolytics
- This page discusses expectorant and mucolytic drugs for respiratory disorders, highlighting their roles in mucus clearance and key considerations such as actions, indications, and side effects. It emphasizes the importance of monitoring patients, especially those with asthma, and the need for client education on medication adherence, hydration, breathing exercises, and when to seek medical advice for worsening symptoms or side effects.
- 24.4: Chapter Summary
- This page discusses important upper respiratory medications, including antihistamines, decongestants, antitussives, expectorants, and mucolytics, many of which are over-the-counter. It emphasizes the necessity for nurses to educate clients on their proper use to ensure safety and prevent adverse effects, particularly due to the presence of these medications in combination products. Clients are urged to read medication labels carefully to avoid excessive dosage.
- 24.5: Key Terms
- This page provides definitions of medical terms and drug classes associated with respiratory conditions and various health issues. It discusses antihistamines for allergy symptoms, antitussives for nonproductive coughs, and cystic fibrosis as a genetic disorder causing respiratory challenges. Additionally, it covers decongestants, expectorants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors for depression, muscarinic receptors, and conditions like Mallory-Weis tears and urticaria.
- 24.6: Review Questions
- This page provides exercises aimed at educating clients on respiratory and allergy medications, highlighting key recommendations for allergy relief, cough characteristics, and acetylcysteine use for toxicity. It covers proper usage and monitoring of nasal decongestants and opioid antitussives, explains medication mechanisms like loratadine, discusses drug interactions, and includes dosage calculations for diphenhydramine and loratadine.


