PHARMACOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT OF COMMON LOWER RESPIRATORY-TRACT DISORDERS IN WOMEN

In a primary care setting, nurse-midwives will collaboratively manage common lower respiratory conditions that require pharmacologic therapy . As such, they must maintain up-to-date knowledge about the indicatio ns, use, and potential side effects of these medications. This article reviews the drugs most commonly used for the out-patient treatment of pneumonia, asthma, tuberculosis, and bronchitis (both acute and chron ic). Differences among common oral antibiotics recommended by the Amer ican Thoracic Society are described. Inhaled bronchodilator and anti-i nflammatory medications are covered, as well as systemic corticosteroi ds. The use of isoniazid preventive therapy for latent tuberculous inf ection is described in detail, with brief mention made of other drugs used for active tuberculosis. Adjunct treatments including immunothera py, vaccines, oxygen supplementation, and nicotine replacement for smo king cessation also are discussed. (C) 1997 by the American College of Nurse-Midwives.