Page 1617 - Saunders Comprehensive Review For NCLEX-RN

CHAPTER 51

Respiratory Medications

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Priority Concepts
Gas Exchange; Infection

I. Medication Inhalation Devices
A. Metered-dose inhaler (MDI): Uses a chemical propellant to push
the medication out of the inhaler (Fig. 51-1)
B. Dry powder inhaler (DPI): Delivers medication without using
chemical propellants, but it requires strong and fast inhalation.
C. Nebulizer: Delivers fine liquid mists of medication through a tube
or a mask that fits over the nose and mouth, or with a mouthpiece,
using air or oxygen under pressure.

D. If 2 different inhaled medications are prescribed and 1 of

the medications contains a glucocorticoid (corticosteroid),
administer the bronchodilator first and the corticosteroid second.

If 2 different inhaled medications are prescribed, instruct the client to wait 5

minutes following administration of the first before inhaling the second. If a second dose
of the same medication is needed, instruct the client to wait 1 to 2 minutes before taking
the second dose.
II. Bronchodilators (Box 51-1)
A. Description
1. Sympathomimetic bronchodilators relax the smooth
muscle of the bronchi and dilate the airways of the
respiratory tree, making air exchange and respiration
easier for the client. Examples include β -adrenergic
2
agonists, such as albuterol.
2. Methylxanthine bronchodilators stimulate the central
nervous system (CNS) and respiration, dilate
coronary and pulmonary vessels, cause diuresis, and
relax smooth muscle. An example is theophylline.
3. Used to treat acute bronchospasm, acute and chronic
asthma, bronchitis, restrictive airway diseases, and
reactive airway diseases

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