Advanced Pathophysiology & Pharmacology: Assignment

Running head: ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY & PHARMACOLOGY
Advanced Pathophysiology & Pharmacology
Name of the student:
Name of the university:
Author note:

1ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY & PHARMACOLOGY
Table of Contents
Pathophysiology:.............................................................................................................................2
Pathophysiology of COPD:.........................................................................................................2
Exacerbation of the COPD:.........................................................................................................3
Pathophysiology of pneumonia:..................................................................................................4
Pharmacology..................................................................................................................................5
Salbutamol:..................................................................................................................................5
Budesonide or fomoterol fumarate dehydrate (symbicort):.........................................................6
Tiotropium:..................................................................................................................................6
Levoflaxone:................................................................................................................................7
Moxifloxacin:..............................................................................................................................8
Ceftriaxone:.................................................................................................................................8
Psychosocial:...................................................................................................................................9
References:....................................................................................................................................11

2ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY & PHARMACOLOGY
Pathophysiology:
Pathophysiology of COPD:
COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder is a life-threatening respiratory disorder
which can be considered as an umbrella terms that encompasses to key diseases, chronic
bronchitis and emphysema. Emphysema is the abnormal permanent enlargement of the alveoli t
facilitated by the destruction of alveolar wall without Fibrosis. The damage to the alveolar walls
leads to lack of elasticity of the wall fibers of alveoli and destroys the exhalation stability of the
patient leading to chronic emphysema (Agusti, 2014). Chronic Bronchitis can be characterized
by inflammation of the bronchial tubes and facilitated by hypersecretion of mucus. In order to
better understand the pathophysiology of this particular disease the most prevailing contributing
factor has to be discussed. According to the case study, Robert had developed chronic
obstructive pulmonary disorder 18 months before having the acute exacerbation and being
admitted to the ICU. His past medical history reveals that he has been active chain-smoker for
the past 40 years of his life. According to the Albert et al. (2011), COPD is a progressive and
eventually debilitating lung disease and tobacco addiction is one of the most prominent triggers
leading to manifestation and exacerbation of this disease. Smoke triggers damage and breakdown
of the alveolar wall fibres and heightens the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder and
bronchitis, several folds. The smoke stiffness the air sacs seconds and destroys the alveolar walls
actresses over secretion of mucus as well due to prolonged exposure (Bischoff et al., 2011).
Hence for Robert, the COPD can be considered to be manifested largely due to the smoking and
as he had not stopped smoking even after being diagnosed with this particular respiratory
disorder it also facilitated to the exacerbation. Robert had been working in his own chicken farm,

3ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY & PHARMACOLOGY
the prolonged occupational exposure to poultry dust could also have contributed to damaging his
respiratory system and facilitating the COPD (Almagro et al., 2012).
(Erb-Downward et al., 2011)
Exacerbation of the COPD:
An exacerbation can be defined as the event that causes deteriorating changes in the
disease progression threatening the life and safety of the patient going through the disease. In
case of COPD, acute exacerbation can be caused by many factors such as a secondary infection,
environmental pollutant triggers, etc (Erb-Downward et al., 2011). The clinical manifestation of
acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disorders includes excessive and severe
wheezing, severe and prolonged episodes of shortness of breath or dyspnea, changes in the
quantity and colour of the sputum. Considering the case study, the most important contributing
factor to the exacerbation that the patient suffers from can be the community acquired
pneumonia. According to the Han et al. (2010), infection leads to 75% of the acute exacerbations
of CPD and it is the leading cause for fatalities associated with this respiratory disorder as well.