Drugs Used in the Treatment of Pulmonary Diseases and Disorders

Drugs Used in the Treatment of Pulmonary Diseases and Disorders
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Drugs Used in the Treatment of Pulmonary Diseases and Disorders
1) What is the differential diagnosis? (1 pt)
With the client presenting with a runny nose and sore throat, her differential diagnosis includes allergic rhinitis and common cold as these conditions present with similar clinical features. Based on the physical exam findings particularly boggy nasal mucosa, a cobblestone appearance, and allergic salute, the diagnosis, in this case, is allergic rhinitis.
2) What would be your first line medication recommendations? (1 pt)
Antihistamines should be recommended as the first line of medication for the management of allergic rhinitis. According to Tindall, Sedrak, and Boltri (2014), these compounds compete with histamine for binding to the H1 receptors whereby they reduce smooth muscle contraction of the bronchi and other organs including the uterus and intestine due to histamine binding. The decreased contraction reduces secretions and inflammation of the affected tissues. However, antihistamines lack decongestant effect hence antihistamines should be combined with decongestants to relieve the associated nasal congestion (Tindall, Sedrak, & Boltri, 2014). Inhaled and intranasal corticosteroids can also be used as first-line therapy of allergic rhinitis as they are effective in relieving symptoms of the condition.
3) What would be long-term prophylactic treatment? (1 pt)
The …