Drugs Used in the Treatment of Pulmonary Diseases and Disorders

Drugs Used in the Treatment of Pulmonary Diseases and Disorders
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Drugs Used in the Treatment of Pulmonary Diseases and Disorders
1) What is the differential diagnosis? (1 pt)
With the client presenting with a runny nose and sore throat, her differential diagnosis includes allergic rhinitis and common cold as these conditions present with similar clinical features. Based on the physical exam findings particularly boggy nasal mucosa, a cobblestone appearance, and allergic salute, the diagnosis, in this case, is allergic rhinitis.
2) What would be your first line medication recommendations? (1 pt)
Antihistamines should be recommended as the first line of medication for the management of allergic rhinitis. According to Tindall, Sedrak, and Boltri (2014), these compounds compete with histamine for binding to the H1 receptors whereby they reduce smooth muscle contraction of the bronchi and other organs including the uterus and intestine due to histamine binding. The decreased contraction reduces secretions and inflammation of the affected tissues. However, antihistamines lack decongestant effect hence antihistamines should be combined with decongestants to relieve the associated nasal congestion (Tindall, Sedrak, & Boltri, 2014). Inhaled and intranasal corticosteroids can also be used as first-line therapy of allergic rhinitis as they are effective in relieving symptoms of the condition.
3) What would be long-term prophylactic treatment? (1 pt)
The long-term prophylactic treatment would include intranasal corticosteroids that are taken on a daily basis such as beclomethasone and fluticasone.

These drugs cause vasoconstriction that reduces edema, and they also suppress the production of cytokines and associated inflammatory responses (Tindall, Sedrak, & Boltri, 2014).
4) If your patient is using Afrin for congestion, what teaching needs to be done regarding this drug? (1 pt)
A patient using oxymetazoline (Afrin) should be informed that excessive use of the drug continually could lead to rebound congestion (Tindall, Sedrak, & Boltri, 2014). Moreover, they should not underuse the medication to avoid treatment failure.
5) What is the allergic salute? (1 pt)
Allergic salute is a term used to refer to pushing of the nose upwards with the palm, back of the hand, or fingers to relieve congestion or itching which are common characteristics in allergic rhinitis (Ramot, Maly, Zlotogorski, & Nanova, 2010).
References
Ramot, Y., Maly, A., Zlotogorski, A., & Nanova, K. (2010). Atypical” allergic crease”. Journal of Dermatological Case Reports, 4(3), 36.
Tindall, W. N., Sedrak, M., & Boltri, J. (2014). Patient-Centered Pharmacology: Learning System for the Conscientious Prescriber. FA Davis.