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.
Relias Learning has a grievance policy in place to facilitate reports of dissatisfaction. Relias Learning will make every effort to resolve each grievance in a mutually satisfactory manner. In order to report a complaint or grievance please contact Relias Learning at support@reliaslearning.com.
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.