Week 4
discussion
Discussion: Pharmacotherapy for Respiratory Disorders
To the untrained ear, most coughs sound the same. However,
as you might recall from past clinical experiences, a simple cough can lead to
a patient diagnosis of a common cold, pneumonia, or even a chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD). Although it can sometimes be challenging to diagnose
a patient based on common respiratory symptoms such as congestion, coughing,
and wheezing, it is important to be able to distinguish minor differences as
even mild symptoms might require intervention with drug treatments. When
recommending potential treatment options, advanced practice nurses must
consider how individual patient factors might impact the effects of prescribed
drugs.
To prepare:
Review Chapter 26 and Chapter 27 of the Arcangelo and
Peterson text.
Select and research one of the following respiratory
disorders: the common cold, pneumonia, or a chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD) such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis. Consider types of drugs
that would be prescribed to patients to treat symptoms associated with this
disorder.
Select one of the following factors: genetics, gender,
ethnicity, age, or behavior. Reflect on how this factor might impact effects of
prescribed drugs, as well as any measures you might take to help reduce
negative side effects.
With these thoughts in mind:
By Day 3
Post a description of the respiratory disorder you selected
including types of drugs that would be prescribed to patients to treat
associated symptoms. Then, explain how the factor you selected might impact
effects of prescribed drugs, as well as any measures you might take to help
reduce negative side effects.
By Day 6
Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses and respond
to at least two of your colleagues on two different days who selected a
different respiratory disorder than you did. If the disorder you selected is
primarily associated with the upper respiratory system, respond to colleagues
who selected disorders primarily associated with the lower respiratory system.
Provide alternative recommendations for drug treatments.
