UNIT ONE

BASIC CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES IN PHARMACOLOGY

1

1

Introduction to Respiratory Care Pharmacology

2

2

Principles of Drug Action

11

3

Administration of Aerosolized Agents

31

4

Calculating Drug Doses

65

5

Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems

76

UNIT TWO

DRUGS USED TO TREAT THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

95

6

Adrenergic (Sympathomimetic) Bronchodilators

96

7

Anticholinergic (Parasympatholytic) Bronchodilators

119

8

Xanthines

135

9

Mucus-Controlling Drug Therapy

145

10

Surfactant Agents

171

11

Corticosteroids in Respiratory Care

181

12

Nonsteroidal Antiasthma Agents

200

13

Aerosolized Antiinfective Agents

217

14

Antimicrobial Agents

236

15

Cold and Cough Agents

263

16

Selected Agents of Pulmonary Value

272

17

Neonatal and Pediatric Aerosolized Drug Therapy

285

UNIT THREE

CRITICAL CARE, CARDIOVASCULAR, AND POLYSOMNOGRAPHY AGENTS

298

18

Skeletal Muscle Relaxants (Neuromuscular Blocking Agents)

299

19

Diuretic Agents

313

20

Drugs Affecting the Central Nervous System

325

21

Vasopressors, Inotropes, and Antiarrhythmic Agents

343

22

Drugs Affecting Circulation: Antihypertensives, Antianginals, Antithrombotics

367

23

Sleep and Sleep Pharmacology

399

Appendix A

Units and Systems of Measurement

417

Appendix B

Acceptable Mixtures of Most Commonly Prescribed Respiratory Care Drugs

421

Glossary of Selected Terms

422