CRE Pharmacology & Medications Flashcards

Which class of medications is the first-line treatment for acute bronchospasm in asthma?

Answer: Short-acting beta-2 agonists (SABAs)

Short-acting beta-2 agonists like albuterol are the standard rescue medications for acute bronchospasm due to their rapid bronchodilation onset.

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are primarily used in asthma and COPD to:

Answer: Reduce airway inflammation

Inhaled corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory maintenance medications, not rescue agents, and do not produce acute bronchodilation.

A patient using a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) should wait how long between puffs to ensure proper drug delivery?

Answer: 30 seconds to 1 minute

Waiting 30–60 seconds between MDI puffs allows adequate time for the aerosol to settle and the propellant to disperse before the next dose.

Which bronchodilator class reduces bronchoconstriction by blocking muscarinic receptors in the airways?

Answer: Anticholinergics

Anticholinergic agents like ipratropium block muscarinic receptors, inhibiting the parasympathetic bronchoconstriction pathway.

Theophylline belongs to which pharmacological class of bronchodilators?

Answer: Methylxanthines

Theophylline is a methylxanthine that inhibits phosphodiesterase, raising intracellular cAMP levels to cause bronchodilation.

What is the primary mechanism of action of montelukast (Singulair) in asthma management?

Answer: Leukotriene receptor antagonism

Montelukast blocks cysteinyl leukotriene receptors, reducing bronchoconstriction and airway inflammation triggered by leukotrienes.