Pharmacology in Action
A patient with angina develops an acute episode of chest discomfort and has prescribed sublingual Nitrostat. What route of administration is preferred in the study material for acute angina relief?
What is sublingual administration?
A patient taking a beta blocker begins aerobic exercise. Because the medication may blunt the normal heart-rate response, the PTA should also monitor this measure of subjective exercise intensity.
What is the rating of perceived exertion (RPE)?
A patient taking albuterol before exercise reports a mild tremor and increased heart rate. These can be expected medication effects, but the PTA should still assess this before continuing.
What are symptom severity, vital signs, and exercise tolerance?
Asthma is characterized by variable airway narrowing and inflammation. This fast-acting inhaled medication is commonly prescribed for quick relief of bronchospasm.
What is albuterol?
A patient with atrial fibrillation takes apixaban to lower the risk of stroke caused by blood clots. Which medication class is this?
What are anticoagulants?
A patient taking Lanoxin has a markedly slow pulse and new dizziness during exercise. What should the PTA do?
What is stop or withhold progression, assess the patient, and promptly notify the supervising PT or medical team?
A patient taking a diuretic reports dizziness after moving from supine to standing. The PTA should check for this change in blood pressure associated with a change in position.
What is orthostatic hypotension?
A patient taking amlodipine has new ankle swelling. The PTA should document the change and report it, particularly if it is new or worsening, because it may represent this medication-associated effect or another medical problem.
What is peripheral edema?
Tiotropium is commonly prescribed for COPD. It belongs to this long-acting bronchodilator class.
What are long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMAs)?
A patient with atrial fibrillation takes digoxin as part of a plan to control ventricular rate. What type of medication is digoxin?
What is a cardiac glycoside?
A patient taking an expectorant is scheduled for airway clearance therapy. According to the study material, when may airway clearance be especially beneficial?
What is within approximately one hour after medication administration?
A patient taking nitroglycerin develops chest pain, sweating, and shortness of breath during gait training. The PTA should stop activity, initiate the patient's prescribed emergency response, and do this if symptoms suggest an acute cardiac event.
What is activate emergency medical services according to protocol?
A patient taking lisinopril reports a persistent dry cough that interferes with exercise. This is a recognized adverse effect of this medication class.
What are ACE inhibitors?
A patient taking inhaled formoterol may use it as part of maintenance therapy for obstructive lung disease. It belongs to this class.
What are long-acting beta-2 agonists (LABAs)?
A patient with COPD is prescribed tiotropium to help maintain open airways. What medication class does it belong to?
What are long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMAs)?
A patient taking a leukotriene modifier develops fatigue, flu-like symptoms, and yellowing of the skin. What serious adverse effect should be suspected?
What is liver dysfunction or hepatotoxicity?
A patient taking an anticoagulant loses balance and strikes their head during a transfer. Even if the patient initially feels fine, the PTA should arrange this because bleeding may be concealed.
What is urgent medical evaluation for possible intracranial bleeding?
A patient with COPD uses supplemental oxygen and a prescribed bronchodilator. During walking, oxygen saturation falls significantly and breathlessness increases. The PTA should stop or modify activity as indicated and follow this individualized guidance.
What is the prescribed oxygen saturation target and respiratory management plan?
A patient with COPD develops increased wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath during exercise. The PTA should stop or reduce activity as appropriate, assess the patient, and follow the prescribed respiratory management plan.
What is a possible episode of bronchospasm or respiratory exacerbation?
A patient with asthma is prescribed albuterol for rapid relief of bronchospasm. What medication class does it belong to?
What are short-acting beta-2 agonists (SABAs)?
A patient with a suspected acute pulmonary embolism receives a thrombolytic medication. How does this class help restore blood flow, and what major complication must the PTA keep in mind?
What is clot dissolution through conversion of plasminogen to plasmin, with a major risk of hemorrhage?
A patient taking digoxin and furosemide reports new weakness, nausea, and an irregular pulse. The combination of symptoms may suggest this medication-related problem, especially if electrolyte levels are abnormal.
What is possible digoxin toxicity, potentially associated with electrolyte disturbance?
A patient takes metoprolol, furosemide, and an ACE inhibitor for heart failure. During therapy, the patient develops unusual fatigue, dizziness, and reduced exercise tolerance. Rather than assuming the symptoms are simply due to deconditioning, the PTA should do this.
What is stop or reduce activity as appropriate, assess vital signs and symptoms, and promptly communicate the findings to the supervising PT or medical team?
A patient with asthma has a rescue inhaler but develops severe breathlessness, difficulty speaking, and worsening symptoms despite using it as prescribed. This calls for this level of response.
What is emergency medical assessment and activation of emergency services according to protocol?
A patient with hypertension takes verapamil. In addition to lowering blood pressure, this medication can slow AV nodal conduction and is sometimes used for this rhythm-related purpose.
What is ventricular rate control in certain supraventricular arrhythmias?