Nursing 211

N211: Health Differences Across the Lifespan I

to decrease infection risk. Decongestants Promote vasoconstriction Pseudoephedrine – Sudafed, Afrin Phenylephrine – Neosynephrine, Allarest Desoxyephedrine – Vicks inhaler

Expectorants Increase the quantity of respiratory secretions and sputum. They reduce the viscosity of secretions and assist with the movement of the secretions through the respiratory tract; making expectoration of sputum easier

Mucolytics Break down tenacious secretions by disrupting the chemical bonds that hold the mucoproteins together, enabling the patient to expectorate sputum. Antidote for acetaminophen overdose

Effect(s)

Use(s)

Guaifenesin – Robitussin [has some antiplatelet functions also] Acetylcysteine – Mucomyst Use cautiously in patients with hyperthyroidism and sensitivity to iodine Irritating to tissues, rhinorrhea, nausea and epistaxis Smells like rotten eggs. Stop if client develops blood tinged secretions Leukotriene Antagonists Cardiac Inotropic Control asthma rather than just treat symptoms Constriction of smooth muscle and cellular activity. Mediate airway edema Inhibit bronchoconstriction and inflammation Montelukast – Singular Zafirlukast - Accolate Dopamine increase cardiac output

Generic Name(s)

Standard Error (SE)

Teaching

Antitussive

Control or stop coughs

Effect(s)

Generic Name(s)

Teaching Many contain narcotics and you should not operate machinery or drive if drowsiness occurs 2.9 Pneumonia Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lower respiratory tract. Pneumonia may be caused by bacterial, viral, parasitic, or fungal infection that causes inflammation of the alveolar spaces. Organisms that cause pneumonia reach the lungs by three methods: aspiration, inhalation and hematogeneous

©2012

Page 60

of 148

Achieve