2. INTRODUCTION
• Bronchodilators are medications that open (dilate) the airways (bronchial
tubes) of the lung by relaxing bronchial muscles and allow people who have
difficulty breathing to breath better.
3. INDICATIONS
• Asthma
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD
• Allergic reactions
• Related conditions that cause breathing problems
5. TYPES OF BRONCHODILATORS
• Beta-adrenergic bronchodilators dilate bronchial airways by relaxing the muscles
that surround the airways. Beta-adrenergic bronchodilators are beta-2 agonists.
These medications stimulate beta-2 receptors on the smooth muscle cells that line
the airways, causing these muscle cells to relax, thus, opening airways.
6. • Anticholinergic bronchodilators block the effect of acetylcholine on airways
and nasal passages. Acetylcholine is a chemical that nerves use to
communicate with muscle cells. In asthma, cholinergic nerves going to the
lungs cause narrowing of the airways by stimulating muscles surrounding the
airways to contract. The "anticholinergic" effect of anticholinergic
bronchodilators blocks the effect of cholinergic nerves, causing the muscles
to relax and airways to dilate.
7. • Xanthine derivatives open airways by relaxing the smooth muscles in the walls
of the airways and they also suppress the response of the airways to stimuli. The
mechanism of action of xanthines is not fully understood. Xanthine derivatives
may dilate bronchi by blocking the action of phosphodiesterase (PDE) enzymes
which ultimately leads to increased concentration of chemicals that dilate
bronchial airways.
14. NURSES RESPONSIBILITIES
•Nurse should monitor the patient’s blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate, and
breathing sounds.
•Teach the patients that how to use inhalers.
•Instruct the patient to avoid respiratory irritants, such as smoke, dust, and strong
smell.