Chapter 36: Antihistamines, Decongestants, Antitussives, Expectorant Test, Beclomethasone
The key terms in this Pharmacology course include Antihistamines, Decongestants, Antitussives, Expectorant, Beclomethasone, Pharmacology for Nurses: Practical Applications
What statement by the patient demonstrates an understanding about beclomethasone dipropionate mechanism of action?
“I only need to take this medication when my symptoms get bad.”
“This medication will help prevent the inflammatory response of my allergies.”
“I will monitor my blood sugar because I may develop drug-induced diabetes.”
“I will need to taper off the medication to prevent acute adrenal crisis.”
Beclomethasone dipropionate is a steroid spray administered nasally. It is used to prevent and treat allergy symptoms. Its effect is localized, and therefore does not have systemic adverse effects with the recommended dose. There is no need to taper off gradually as with oral corticosteroids.
The nurse is providing education to a patient with a history of chronic nasal congestion secondary to allergic rhinitis. What class of medications would the nurse anticipate the provider prescribe for the patient to use on a long-term basis?
Intranasal steroids
Antitussives
Expectorants
Antihistamines
Inhaled intranasal steroids and anticholinergic drugs are not associated with rebound congestion and are often used prophylactically to prevent nasal congestion in patients with chronic upper respiratory tract symptoms. Local intranasal steroids would have the least likely possible systemic adverse effects of all the medication classes possible to use for chronic and long-term use.
What instruction would the nurse include when teaching a patient who is prescribed an expectorant?
Increase fluid intake to decrease viscosity of secretions.
Restrict fluids to decrease mucus production.
Take a drug with oral codeine when cough worsens.
Take the medication once a day at bedtime.
Expectorant drugs are used to decrease viscosity of secretions and allow them to be more easily expectorated. Increasing fluid intake helps this action.
A patient is making an appointment for allergy testing. The nurse instructs the patient not take what class of medications at least 4 days before allergy testing?
Antitussives
Decongestants
Bronchodilators
Antihistamines
An allergist will usually recommend discontinuation of antihistamine drug therapy at least 4 days before allergy testing.
When providing general education on use of over-the-counter (OTC) medications for allergies, what instruction would the nurse to include?
Discontinue use 2 days before allergy testing.
Do not use in children younger than 2 years of age unless prescribed.
It may cause dry mouth and difficulty urinating.
The medication treats the signs and symptoms but is not a cure.
OTC medications for allergies are not recommended for children younger than 2 years of age unless prescribed by a health care provider.
A patient tells the nurse that she wants to start taking the herbal product goldenseal to improve her health. The nurse will assess for which potential cautions or contraindications to goldenseal? (Select all that apply.)
Sinus infections
Taking a proton-pump inhibitor
Taking an antihypertensive drug
Nasal congestion
Pregnancy
Goldenseal is contraindicated in patients with acute or chronic gastrointestinal disorders and during pregnancy (because it has uterine stimulant properties). It should be used with caution by those with cardiovascular disorders. Potential drug interactions may occur with gastric acid suppressors such as antacids, histamine H2 blockers (e.g., ranitidine), and proton-pump inhibitors (e.g., omeprazole), theoretically because of their reduced effectiveness resulting from the acid-promoting effect of the herb, and with antihypertensive drugs (because of the vasoconstrictive activity of the herb). Goldenseal is potentially useful for sinus infections and chronic nasal allergies.