Pharmacotherapy for Respiratory Disorders: Emphysema

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Introduction

A chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by poor flow of air within the lungs (Arcangelo, 2013). Another common symptom is coughing. Emphysema is an example of such a disease. The main cause of this illness is tobacco. Such respiratory symptoms as coughing can be used by a nursing practitioner (NP) to diagnose COPDs. A simple cough may be a sign of colds, pneumonia, or COPD. In this paper, the author will provide a description of emphysema and drugs used to treat it and other COPDs. The author will also analyze the side effects of these medications.

Emphysema: A Description

A patient suffering from emphysema experiences difficulties in breathing. The disease damages the air sacs, leading to reduced airflow. The air sacs in the lungs have a branch-like appearance. DiPiro et al. (2011) state that the delicate inner walls of these structures weaken when infected. The result is one large air sac. As a result, the infection reduces the amount of air reaching the bloodstream. When an NP makes a diagnosis of this illness, they immediately put the patient on treatment. However, the damage caused by the condition is irreversible. Toxins from cigarettes damage the air sacs beyond repair. Nursing practitioners note that heavy smokers do not experience emphysema. On the contrary, tobacco users present other health conditions.

Such signs as coughing are not adequate for an NP to diagnose one with emphysema (Ritter, Lewis, Mant & Ferro, 2008). However, advanced nursing practitioners have the skills to differentiate between common symptoms and those associated with the condition. Other methods of diagnosing emphysema include chest x-rays, CT scans, and a complete blood count.

Treating Emphysema

Nursing practitioners acknowledge that emphysema has no cure. The only intervention entails providing treatment to improve the symptoms. The treatment regimen administered by NPs includes inhalers and solutions (Wittbrodt, 2013). There are two different types of these drugs. The two include short and long-acting mediations. As the disease progresses, NPs use oxygen supplementation to keep the patients alive. Arcangelo (2013) argues that the first step that an NP should take after a positive diagnosis is encouraging the patient to quit smoking.

Behavior Patterns and the Impacts of Medications Used by Nursing Professional to Treat Emphysema

Nursing professionals can manage emphysema with drugs and other interventions. The efficacy of interventions used by NPs to manage emphysema is affected by, among others, the behavior patterns of the patient (Gilani, Shah, Ghayur & Majeed, 2005). Smoking is one of the habits that impact the medications used. The NP should ensure that the patient stops engaging in this habit when using inhalers. The same applies in the case of tablets.

The side effects of using inhalers are minimal compared to those associated with other methods. If the patient uses the inhaling devices incorrectly, their effectiveness is reduced (Gilani et al., 2005). Pills have more negative side effects compared to inhalers. The situation is serious if the patient continues to engage in smoking. The NP should not use long-acting pills to treat severe symptoms since they take a lot of time to work.

The chemicals contained in the tablets are the ones that lead to various negative side effects. They include nausea, nervousness, increased blood pressure, and mouth infections (Gilani et al., 2005). Nursing professionals use salt therapy in rehabilitation. Many people prefer this form of treatment considering its positive results. In addition, the intervention is drug-free. However, skin irritation and tickling sensation in the throat are reported by patients using this therapy.

Measures to Reduce the Negative Side Effects

One measure is for the patient to change their lifestyle, which includes quitting smoking. In addition, the NP should inform the patients that they should consult a professional before changing their medication regimens (Gilani et al., 2005).

Conclusion

Emphysema has no cure. Professionals use treatments and other drugs to manage the condition. Interventions include inhalers and pills. The behavior of the patient affects the impacts of the medication used.

References

Arcangelo, V. (2013). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In V. Arcangelo & A. Peterson (Eds.), Pharmacotherapeutics for advanced practice: A practical approach (3rd edn.) (pp. 366-374). New York: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

DiPiro, J., Talbert, R., Yee, G., Matzke, G., Wells, B., & Posey, M. (2011). Pharmacotherapy: A pathophysiologic approach (8th edn.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

Gilani, A., Shah, A., Ghayur, M., & Majeed, K. (2005). Pharmacological basis for the use of turmeric in gastrointestinal and respiratory disorders. Life Sciences, 76(26), 3089-3105.

Ritter, J., Lewis, L., Mant, T., & Ferro, A. (2008). A textbook of clinical pharmacology and therapeutics (5th edn.). New York: Hodder Arnold.

Wittbrodt, E. (2013). Bronchitis and pneumonia. In V. Arcangelo & A. Peterson (Eds.), Pharmacotherapeutics for advanced practice: A practical approach (3rd edn.) (pp. 375-390). New York: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

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