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Asthma Management and Pharmacology Study Guide

This guide explores the pharmacology of various antibacterial drug classes, detailing their mechanisms of action, spectrum of activity, clinical applications, and principles of antibiotic stewardship to combat resistance. It covers beta-lactams, protein synthesis inhibitors, DNA/folic acid inhibitors, and specialized agents, along with crucial concepts like MIC and resistance.

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Antibacterial Pharmacology and Clinical Management

Microbiology Review and Antibiotic Mechanisms

Microbiology review of Gram positive, Gram negative, aerobic, and anaerobic bacteria alongside antibiotic mechanisms of action, spectrums, and penicillin characteristics.

  • Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria
  • Aerobic and anaerobic bacteria
  • Narrow vs. broad spectrum antibiotics
  • Cell wall impairment
  • Protein synthesis inhibitors
  • DNA or RNA synthesis inhibition
  • Folic acid synthesis inhibitors
  • Bactericidal vs. bacteriostatic antibiotics
  • Penicillin mechanisms of action
  • Penicillin pharmacokinetics and adverse effects

Pharmacology of Antibacterial Drug Classes

This content details the mechanism of action, microbial spectrum, clinical uses, pharmacokinetics, interactions, and adverse effects of various antibacterial drug classes.

  • Beta-lactamase Inhibitor Combinations
  • Cephalosporins
  • Carbapenems
  • Fluoroquinolones
  • Macrolides
  • Ketolides
  • Aminoglycosides
  • Tetracyclines
  • Sulfonamides
  • Glycopeptides
  • Lincosamides
  • Metronidazole
  • Mechanism of Action
  • Microbial Spectrum
  • Pharmacokinetics/dynamics
  • Drug Interactions
  • Adverse Effects

Principles of Antibiotic Use and Stewardship

This content covers miscellaneous antibiotics, principles of antibiotic use, culture and sensitivity, and antibiotic stewardship to combat drug resistance.

  • Oxazolidinones and Lipopeptides
  • Empiric treatment and epidemiology
  • Pharmacokinetic profile and duration of therapy
  • Host factors in antibiotic administration
  • Culture and sensitivity (R, S, MIC)
  • Antibiotic stewardship and drug resistance mechanisms
  • Bacterial mutation and gene transfer
  • Emerging drug-resistant bacteria

Pharmacotherapy for Otic Disorders

Review of ear structures and pharmacotherapy for acute otitis media, otitis media with effusion, and otitis externa.

  • Ear structures
  • Acute otitis media
  • Otitis media with effusion
  • Otitis externa
  • Malignant otitis externa
  • Antibiotic therapy for otic infections
  • Recurrent AOM
  • Tympanostomy tubes
  • Drug therapy for OE
  • Fluoroquinolone otic solution
  • Aminoglycoside otic solution

Pharmacotherapy for Ophthalmic Disorders

Review of basic eye anatomy and pharmacotherapy for blepharitis including bacterial infections, seborrheic blepharitis, and Meibomian gland dysfunction.

  • Eye anatomy
  • Bacterial infections
  • Meibomian gland dysfunction
  • Eyelid hygiene
  • Warm compresses
  • Erythromycin 0.5% ointment
  • Bacitracin 500 units/g ointment
  • Azithromycin 1% solution
  • Fluoroquinolone solutions

Clinical Management of Conjunctivitis

Overview of bacterial, viral, and allergic conjunctivitis including symptoms, causative organisms, and ophthalmic therapies.

  • Bacterial conjunctivitis
  • Viral conjunctivitis
  • Allergic conjunctivitis
  • Ophthalmic antihistamines
  • Mast cell stabilizers
  • Steroidal anti-inflammatories
  • Vasoconstrictors
  • Topical corticosteroids
  • Gonococcal conjunctivitis
  • Chlamydial conjunctivitis
  • Seasonal conjunctivitis
  • Vernal conjunctivitis
  • Atopic conjunctivitis

Dry Eye Syndrome and Glaucoma Management

This content covers Dry Eye Syndrome and Primary Open-angle Glaucoma, including symptoms, risk factors, diagnostics, and pharmacotherapy goals.

  • Dry Eye Syndrome (DES)
  • Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca
  • Artificial Tear Substitutes
  • Ocular Lubricants
  • Cholinergic drugs
  • Anti-inflammatory medications
  • Glaucoma
  • Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG)
  • Intraocular pressure (IOP)
  • Beta blockers
  • Prostaglandins
  • Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors
  • Adrenergic agonists
  • Beta blocking agents

Treatment of URI, Sinusitis, Bronchitis, and Pneumonia

This content covers the clinical characteristics, risk factors, and pharmacological treatments for acute rhinosinusitis, acute bronchitis, and community acquired pneumonia.

  • Acute rhinosinusitis
  • Chronic sinusitis
  • Bacterial vs viral sinusitis
  • Risk factors for sinusitis
  • Acute bronchitis
  • Community acquired pneumonia
  • Antibiotic therapies
  • Symptom management
  • Pathogens including Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae

Differentiating Acute Otitis Media and Effusion

A tool for promoting appropriate antibiotic use by differentiating Acute Otitis Media (AOM) from Otitis Media with Effusion (OME) and providing recommendations for antibiotic treatment.

  • Acute Otitis Media (AOM)
  • Otitis Media with Effusion (OME)
  • Pneumatic otoscopy
  • Tympanometry
  • Middle ear effusion
  • Middle-ear inflammation
  • Antibiotic treatment recommendations
  • Amoxicillin
  • Amoxicillin-clavulanate
  • Penicillin allergy alternatives
  • Tympanocentesis

Pharmacology of Respiratory Diseases and Medications

Respiratory Pharmacology: Asthma Overview

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness, bronchoconstriction, and airway remodeling.

  • Asthma pathophysiology
  • Airway remodeling
  • Asthma triggers
  • Pulmonary function tests
  • FEV1
  • FVC
  • Peak Expiratory Flow
  • Asthma classification
  • Mast cell mediators
  • IgE role in allergic asthma
  • Allergic cascade
  • Asthma therapy goals
  • Stepwise asthma treatment
  • Inhaled corticosteroids
  • LABA

Medications Used in COPD Treatment

Pharmacological treatments for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease include bronchodilators, corticosteroids, mucolytics, and phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitors.

  • SABAs
  • LABA
  • Anticholinergics
  • Corticosteroids
  • Methylxanthines
  • Phosphodiesterase 4 Inhibitors
  • Mucolytics
  • Antibiotics
  • Acetylcysteine
  • Short-acting beta₂ agonists
  • Long-acting beta₂ agonists
  • Short-acting anticholinergic
  • Long-acting anticholinergics
  • Inhaled corticosteroids
  • Adverse effects

Respiratory Pharmacology: URI and Common Cold

Respiratory system principles and the pathophysiology, causes, and treatment of the common cold.

  • respiratory system principles
  • gas transport and exchange
  • common cold
  • human rhinovirus
  • acute inflammatory reaction
  • viral pathogens
  • URI treatment
  • pharmacologic treatments

Pharmacology of Respiratory Medications

Information regarding decongestants, expectorants, anti-tussives, and antihistamines including classifications, mechanisms of action, contraindications, and adverse reactions.

  • Systemic and topical decongestants
  • Sympathomimetic drugs
  • Vasoconstriction
  • Contraindications for decongestants
  • Drug interactions
  • Adverse reactions to decongestants
  • Rebound nasal congestion
  • Expectorants
  • Anti-tussives
  • Cough reflex inhibition
  • Narcotic and non-narcotic antitussives
  • Antihistamines
  • Histamine release blocking

Principles of Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics

Pharmacology of Asthma and COPD

Pharmacological agents including sympathomimetics, methylxanthines, muscarinic antagonists, leukotriene modifiers, mast cell stabilizers, corticosteroids, and immunomodulators are used to treat asthma and COPD.

  • Sympathomimetics
  • Beta 2 agonists
  • Short-acting beta agonists (SABA)
  • Long-acting beta2-agonists (LABA)
  • Methylxanthines
  • Leukotriene modifiers
  • Mast cell stabilizers
  • Corticosteroids
  • Immunomodulators
  • Pharmacokinetics
  • Pharmacodynamics
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Chronic bronchitis
  • Emphysema

Principles of Pharmacology and Pharmacokinetics

A basic understanding in the clinical application of pharmacotherapeutics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacokinetics as they relate to advanced practice nursing.

  • Pharmacokinetics
  • Pharmacodynamics
  • Bioavailability
  • Biotransformation
  • First-pass effect
  • Half-life
  • Therapeutic window
  • Absorption
  • Distribution
  • Excretion
  • Enteral administration
  • Parenteral administration
  • Topical administration
  • Passive diffusion
  • Active transport

Drug Absorption Routes and Distribution

This content covers enteral and parenteral absorption routes and the factors affecting drug distribution throughout the body.

  • Enteral absorption
  • Oral administration
  • Sublingual absorption
  • Rectal administration
  • Parenteral absorption
  • Intravenous administration
  • Subcutaneous administration
  • Intramuscular administration
  • Inhalation
  • Topical and transdermal administration
  • First-pass effect
  • Bioavailability
  • Drug distribution
  • Protein binding

Pharmacodynamics and Drug Elimination Processes

Drugs are eliminated through metabolism and excretion, while pharmacodynamics describes how drugs affect the body through receptor interactions.

  • Elimination
  • Metabolism
  • Biotransformation
  • Excretion
  • Pharmacodynamics
  • Ligand
  • Gated ion channels
  • Transmembranous receptors
  • G protein-coupled receptors
  • Intracellular receptors
  • Drug-receptor interactions
  • Affinity
  • Chirality
  • Agonist
  • Antagonist
  • Patient factors

Principles of Pediatric Pharmacotherapy

Ongoing maturation and development in pediatric patients affect drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.

  • Pediatric pharmacokinetics
  • Factors affecting drug absorption
  • Gastric pH and ionization
  • Gastric emptying time
  • Gastrointestinal enzymes and microorganism flora
  • Pediatric routes of drug administration
  • Drug distribution and body composition
  • Phase I and Phase II drug metabolism
  • Renal drug elimination
  • Pediatric medication dosing
  • Drug absorption factors
  • GI enzymes and microorganism flora
  • Drug distribution factors
  • Drug metabolism phases

Pharmacotherapy in Pregnancy and Lactation

Maternal changes in pregnancy and lactation affect drug absorption, distribution, elimination, placental transfer, and drug concentrations in breast milk.

  • Maternal changes in pregnancy
  • Absorption
  • Distribution
  • Elimination
  • Placental transfer of medications
  • Drug teratogenicity
  • Lactation
  • Drug concentrations in breast milk

Pharmacotherapy in the Elderly Patients

This topic covers factors leading to adverse drug reactions, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, polypharmacy, medication adherence, and guidelines for safe prescribing in the elderly population.

  • Adverse drug reactions
  • Pharmacokinetics
  • Absorption
  • Distribution
  • Elimination
  • Pharmacodynamics
  • Drug–receptor interactions
  • Central nervous system effects
  • Medication adherence
  • Safe prescribing guidelines

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