Questions-Answers on Drug Therapy | Study

Running head: DRUG THERAPY
DRUG THERAPY
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

DRUG THERAPY
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Q1. Explain these terms and provide examples of what observation data could be
charted to represent these signs and symptoms
Tachycardia is the defined as increased heartbeat that is more than 100 beats per min
due to excessive muscular activities and is measured as heart rate of vital sign.
Tachypnoea is the increased and shallow (Puskarich et al. 2017).
Angina is defined as pain in the chest due to stress or exercise that causes exhaustion of heart
due to low blood flow to the heart.
Hypertension is caused by increased blood pressure in the walls of arteries.
Anxiety is a type of mental illness that causes feeling of worry or fear resulting from stress.
Tremor is defined as jerking movement of body parts due to involuntary action because of
muscle relaxation and contraction occurring specially in hands (Ninds.nih.gov 2020).
These signs and symptoms are represented by the following observation data recorded by the
emergency nurse in case of Jolene-
Observing patient’s heart rate to be more than 100 beats per minute represents Tachycardia.
Observing patients respiratory rate to be more than 20 breaths per minute represents
Tachypnoea.
Observing patients with chest X-ray, angiography or ECG will represent angina ('Rosanna
Tavella, 2020).
Checking blood pressure of the patient to be more than normal represents hypertension.
Patients facial expression and involuntary movement of body parts can represents anxiety and
tremor.

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Q2. What immediate action would you take to assess and monitor these signs and
symptoms?
My role as an emergency nurse is to provide immediate and quality care to patients
admitted to emergency department. Tachycardia has caused increased heart rate as her pulses
were checked therefore her condition may be associated with any chronic disease therefore to
control rhythm, antiarrhythmic drugs can be used intermittently and monitor changes in heart
rate (Gopinathannair and Olshansky, 2015). Due to tachypnoea, Jolene is feeling breathless
because she is unable to inhale adequate amount of oxygen therefore after monitoring her
respiratory rate with a stethoscope, I would provide her with medication that can be inhaled
to cut off oxygen shortage and expand blocked airways. After she is steady, ECG, chest X-
ray or angiography can be performed to monitor and assess angina, for reducing stress and
anxiety I would calm her and make her perform some relaxation exercises (Derrick et al.,
2019). For monitoring her signs and symptoms and for recording vital signs I would suggest
her to rest flat on the bed.
Q3. Explain the pathophysiology of Asthma
Asthma is characterised by inflammation and obstruction of the airways focussing
mainly on the bronchi. Inflammation of the lower respiratory tract can occur due to genetic
redisposition ort environmental factors. Asthma is considered an allergic response leading to
type 2 or immediate hypersensitive reaction. The inflammation is caused by different types of
inflammatory cells such as mast cells, eosinophils, lymphocytes and release of histamines and
interlukins. Due to this mucosal and submucosal layer of the lower respiratory tract is altered

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resulting in histopathological changes such as hypertrophy along with hyperplasia relative to
smooth muscle and submucosal layer deposited with collagen. The inflammatory cells are
infiltrated in the submucosal layer thereby leakage from the blood vessels also known as
edema. All of these alterations lead to narrowing of the airways and smooth muscle
contraction thereby obstruction of airways specially the bronchi (Bush 2019).
Inflammation of the airways signifies a common symptom of asthma and the clinical
manifestation is the recurrent asthma attacks. Asthma is very common in adolescents undby
er 18 and can be triggered pollutant, nonsteroidal inflammatory medications, exercise,
temperature change or stress. Asthma can also be caused by viral infection of the lungs.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases may have symptoms similar to asthma. Asthma
attacks are reversible with inhalation of beta-agonists (Mims 2015).
Asthma pathophysiology is associated with inflammation of the airways, obstruction
of the airways and hyperresponsive bronchi which is related to the symptoms of Jolene as
observed by ED nurse, and since her medical history reveals that she went for numerous
admissions due to asthma during her adolescent period therefore asthma symptoms may be
related to the symptoms she is showing now.
Q4. Provide the generic details of these medications and explain their indication and
action
Ventolin is a beta-2 agonist that is found in inhalers or nebulizers for preventing or
reducing asthma or acute bronchospasm. It is also used in adults for treating COPD. The
adult dosage include 2 puffs in every 4 to 6 hours. It is useful for treating mild to severe
symptoms and exacerbation due to asthma. It is inhaled by mouth to prevent shortness of
breath and asthma attacks. Between every puff it is recommended to pause a minute.The