Respiratory Meds (Bronchodilators, Corticosteroids, Antihistamines)
Albuterol, Ipratropium, Theophylline, Prednisone, Beclomethasone (QVAR), Cromolyn, Cetirizine (Zyrtec)
Welcome to the Respiratory System—where every second matters, airway diameter decides destiny, and inflammation is the silent enemy tightening the walls from the inside.
In this volume, Lucy and the crew enter the “Bronchial Tunnels” during an airflow crisis. Smooth muscle clamps down, mucus floods the passageways, and inflammatory cells swarm like a riot. Your mission: open the airways fast, calm the inflammation long-term, and shut down allergic triggers—using the exact meds you’ll see in asthma, COPD, allergic rhinitis, and acute bronchospasm scenarios.
What this book covers (in story form):
Bronchodilators (Open the airway NOW)
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Albuterol (Proventil/Ventolin) — the rapid rescue: how beta-2 stimulation relaxes bronchial smooth muscle, why tremor/tachycardia happens, and what it means if it “stops working.”
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Ipratropium (Atrovent) — the anticholinergic airway unlock: how it blocks bronchoconstriction + dries secretions, and why it’s a staple in COPD and combo therapy.
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Theophylline (Theo-24, etc.) — the narrow-margin powerhouse: bronchodilation with a high-risk monitoring storyline (levels matter), plus common toxicity clues nurses must catch early.
Corticosteroids (Stop the inflammation engine)
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Prednisone (Deltasone) — systemic inflammation control: when it’s used, why it takes time to truly turn the tide, and the nursing watch-outs (glucose, infection risk, GI irritation, mood/insomnia).
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Beclomethasone Dipropionate (QVAR) — inhaled “maintenance armor”: why it prevents attacks, the rinse-your-mouth rule (and what happens if patients don’t), and how to teach the difference between rescue vs controller meds.
Mast Cell Stabilizers / Anti-inflammatory Prevention
Antihistamines (Shut down allergy-triggered chaos)
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Cetirizine (Zyrtec) — histamine blocker support: how it reduces sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and post-nasal drip that fuels cough and irritation.
You’ll learn through:
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Rescue vs Controller logic embedded in the storyline (what works fast vs what prevents the next attack)
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Airflow maps showing bronchospasm + inflammation + mucus—then exactly where each medication fights
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Nursing priorities
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respiratory assessment cues (work of breathing, wheeze patterns, accessory muscle use)
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inhaler timing/sequencing and technique teaching
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when symptoms mean “expected side effect” vs “danger—escalate now”
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monitoring patterns for steroid complications and theophylline toxicity
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Quick-recall panels + mini NCLEX-style checkpoints built into each mission
