MED 266: Pharmacology
Chapter 32: Respiratory Pharmacology, Treatment of Asthma, and COPD Worksheet
Complete the following statements.
1. Any disease process or condition that __________________with respiratory gas exchange causes serious
alterations in the concentrations of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood
2. The most common causes of respiratory difficulties are _____________________ and _______________.
3. Drug therapy for COPD is primarily with __________________________, is aimed at improving respiratory
gas exchange and reducing the volume of mucus secretions.
4. Treatment for emphysema involves respiratory _________________ designed to increase the efficiency of
respiration, oxygen therapy, and administration of __________________________ and antiinflammatory
agents.
5. Relief of acute asthmatic attacks and chronic treatment of asthma involve use of a bronchodilator and a
variety of antiinflammatory and ________________________________ drugs.
6. _________________________________ are important drugs in the management of both asthma and
COPD.
7. __________________________ is the only natural methylxanthine used for its bronchodilating actions.
8. In addition to bronchodilation, theophylline also has been shown to increase respiratory muscle
_____________________ and mucociliary clearance.
9. By blocking the actions of acetylcholine, ____________________________ drugs produce
bronchodilation and also reduce the volume of respiratory secretions.
10. The antiinflammatory steroids and other drugs with antiinflammatory actions are referred to as
“_______________________” drugs because they reduce and control the inflammatory response.
11. During acute asthmatic attacks, ______________________________ such as prednisone, prednisolone,
and others (Table 32:2) are administered by either the oral or parenteral route.
12. For the chronic control of asthma and COPD, the preferred route of administration is ___________
______________________ with metered-dose inhalers
13. A major focus of asthma research has been to discover drugs that inhibit the actions of the arachidonic
acid derivatives known as ___________________________.
14. ________________________ are drugs that facilitate the removal of thickened mucus secretions from the
lungs.
15. The therapeutic plan in the treatment of asthma is to allow patients to maintain as near normal
_____________________ functions and physical activity levels as possible
16. Patients who experience more than two asthmatic episodes per week but less than one per day are
usually prescribed daily treatment with ___________________ inhaled antiinflammatory corticosteroids
17. Patients who experience daily asthmatic episodes require daily treatment with low-to-moderate-dose
inhaled antiinflammatory corticosteroids and inhaled selective _______________________________
bronchodilators.
18. Sever or persistent asthma symptoms require ________________________ inhaled corticosteroids and
long-acting beta adrenergic bronchodilators.
19. The therapeutic aim in COPD is to improve ____________ function and exercise capacity as much as
possible
20. In the treatment of COPD patients, if the use of steroid therapy is indicated, the
______________________ preparations (Advair and Symbicort) provide extended durations of action.