Pharmacologic Methods for Airway Clearance

Course Code: REL-ACU-0-PMAC

Hours: 1

Type: Online Course

Content Expiration Date: 12/31/2025

Learning Objectives:
Recognize disease states associated with abnormal mucus production or clearance.
Choose appropriate pharmacologic agents for airway clearance based on diagnosis and patient factors.
Identify inappropriate medication orders and techniques for promoting evidence-based medication use.

Outline:
Section 1: Introduction

About This Course

Learning Objectives

Section 2: Physiology and Therapeutic Interventions

Physiology of Airway Mucus Secretion and Clearance

Airway Clearance Techniques

Mucoactive Medications

Recommending Medications

Summary

Section 3: Conditions Associated with Mucus Abnormalities

Asthma

Cystic Fibrosis

Non-CF Bronchiectasis

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Inhalation Injury

Neuromuscular Disease and Respiratory Muscle Weakness

Postoperative Atelectasis

Intubation with Mechanical Ventilation

Bronchitis

Cough in the Common Cold

Cough in Palliative Care

Transtracheal Oxygen Therapy

Summary

Section 4: Medications to Enhance Airway Clearance

Expectorants

Thiols and Thiol Derivatives

Inhaled Anticoagulants

Hypertonic Saline

Mannitol

Recombinant Human Dornase Alfa (Pulmozyme®)

Beta-Agonists

Methylxanthines

Glucocorticoids

Macrolide Antibiotics

Anticholinergics

Hydration

Novel Therapies

Summary

Section 5: Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Importance of Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Techniques for Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Protocol-Directed Respiratory Care

Summary

Section 6: Clinical Vignette

Meet Johnathan

Section 7: Conclusion

Course Summary

Course Contributors

References

Instructor: Gabrielle Ruggiero, PharmD, BCPS

Gabrielle Ruggiero has a dual major Bachelor of Arts degree in Biochemistry/Molecular Biology and in Psychology, and a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. She works as a pharmacist at a community hospital and its outpatient chemotherapy infusion center. She also enjoys writing and has earned an Essential Skills Certificate from the American Medical Writers Association.

Writer: Kimberly Workman, MA

Ms. Workman is an Instructional Designer at Relias. She has a Master of Arts in Technology and Communication, as well as graduate certificates in Public Health, Epidemiology, and Digital Communications. Ms. Workman has a background in writing and designing online continuing medical education for physicians and other health professionals on multiple educational platforms, including web-based, game-based, and immersive learning environments. She has also used simulation training extensively to connect learning to real-world environments.

Target Audience:
The target audience for this course is: Pharmacists; Respiratory Therapists; in the following settings: Hospitals: Acute.

Relias Learning will be transparent in disclosing if any commercial support, sponsorship or co-providership is present prior to the learner completing the course.

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All courses offered by Relias Learning, LLC are developed from a foundation of diversity, inclusiveness, and a multicultural perspective. Knowledge, values and awareness related to cultural competency are infused throughout the course content.

To earn continuing education credit for this course you must achieve a passing score of 80% on the post-test and complete the course evaluation.

Course Delivery Method and Format
Asynchronous Distance Learning with interactivity which includes quizzes with questions/answers, and posttests.