Week 4:Respiratory System In the United States, 12 million people suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, n.d.),and about 25 million people suffer from asthma (CDC, 2011). Since various symptoms are associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and other common respiratory disorders, a single patient might be prescribed multiple drugs for treatment. Consider an 8-year-old asthmatic patient who frequently presents with acute asthma exacerbation that are triggered by seasonal allergies. As a result of his disorder, he might be prescribed albuterol to treat asthma attacks and Clarinex to treat allergic reactions.This requires you, as the advanced practice nurse, to be aware of risks of poly pharmacy and patient factors that impact the effects of drugs. This week you examine types of drugs prescribed to patients with respiratory disorders, as well as the impact of patient factors on the effects of drugs. You also explore ways to improve patient treatment plans including suggested drug therapies. Finally,you examine asthma treatment and management. Learning Objectives By the end of this week, students will: • Analyze types of drugs prescribed to treat respiratory disorders • Evaluate the impact of patient factors on the effects of prescribed drugs for respiratory disorders • Evaluate drug therapy plans for respiratory disorders • Assess the impact of asthma treatments on patients •Analyze the step-wise approach to asthma treatment and management • Understand and apply key terms, concepts, and principles related to prescribing drugs to treat respiratory disorders
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