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Module 2 Case Study
IHP 310
SNHU
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Incorrect medication/drug classification/ treatment
The incorrect drug classification is bronchodilator. Bronchodilator drugs relax the smooth
muscle layer around the bronchioles, which allows them to dilate, which increases airflow to
the lungs (Turley, 2016, pg 199). Bronchodilator drugs deal with the respiratory system. The
myocardial infarction Ms. Breene suffered deals with the cardiovascular system.
Drug classification
According to our Pathophysiology textbook, “the initial treatment of a myocardial infraction
includes morphine, oxygen, nitroglycerin, and aspirin” (Taylor, 2018, pg 106). The doctor has
proscribed an analgesic drug (aspirin), given oxygen, an anticoagulant and a thrombolytic. I
would also add in a nitrate drug to dilate arteries and veins throughout the circulatory
system (Turley, 2016, pg 234). This decreases the amount of work the heart must do and
decreases its needs for oxygen (Turley, 2016). This will allow the heart to rest and try to
recover from the MI. A few nitrate drugs that can be given include nitroglycerin (most
common), amyl nitrite, and isosorbide (Turley, 2016, pg 234).
Generic Medication
o Bronchodilator Drugs: Beta-agonist bronchodilator drugs stimulate beta₂ receptors in
the smooth muscle around the bronchioles by mimicking the action that epinephrine has
on these same receptors (Turley, 2016, pg 199). This therapeutic effect causes the
bronchioles to dilate (widen) and increase the flow of air (Turley, 2016, pg 199). A
common generic beta-agonist drug is albuterol.
o Nitrate Drugs: According to our pharmacology textbook, “Nitrate drugs dilate the coronary
arteries to the heart muscle and increase the flow of oxygenated blood. They also dilate
arteries and veins throughout the circulatory system. This decreases the amount of work
the heart must do and decreases its need for oxygen (Turley, 2016, pg 234).” One of the
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most common generic nitrate drugs is nitroglycerin.
o Anticoagulant Drugs: These drugs can work in many ways to prevent blood clots.
A generic anticoagulant drug is a heparin. Heparin inhibits the clotting factor X in the
blood, and that stops the series of steps needed to form a blood clot (Turley, 2016, pg
246).
o Thrombolytic: These drugs are used to break apart a blood clot once it has formed
(Turley, 2016, pg 251). A generic thrombolytic drug is an alteplase, which is a tissue
plasminogen activator drug (tPA). The tPA’s is given at the time of myocardial
infarction, stroke, or pulmonary embolism to dissolve a blood clot that has already
formed in the coronary artery or within arteries to the brain or lungs (Turley, 2016, pg
251).
o Analgesics: These drugs decrease and relieve pain. Analgesic drugs provide relief from
mild-to-moderate pain by inhibiting the release of prostaglandins from damaged tissue
(Turley, 2016, pg 428). A common generic analgesic drug is aspirin. Analgesics can be a
narcotic or non-narcotic (over the counter). A generic narcotic analgesic drug is codeine.
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References
Story, L. (2018). Pathophysiology: A Practical Approach (3rd ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones &
Bartlett Learning.
Turley, S. M. (2016). Understanding pharmacology for health professionals (5th ed.). Upper
Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.
