Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to describe the structures, functions, and physiologic processes associated with pulmonary and tissue respiration. They will be able to characterize significant respiratory system disorders, including the role of pulmonary function tests in the diagnosis and management of asthma and COPD. They will also be able to discuss drug classes relevant to respiratory disorders, including the mechanisms by which various agents produce their effects.
Who Should Take This Course
- Sales representatives, managers, and others who interact with healthcare professionals, including primary care physicians, pediatricians, pulmonologists, respiratory therapists, allergists, emergency medical technicians, and pharmacists, who treat disorders of the respiratory system.
- Those who would benefit from knowledge of this major body system and the treatment of its principal disorders.
Career Applications/Benefits
Respiratory disorders are a common health problem, affecting people of all ages. Because these disorders range from acute conditions that may, at times, be life-threatening, to chronic conditions that may seriously impact the patient’s quality of life, the pharmaceutical industry has developed many key products to improve the health and well-being of patients with respiratory disorders. This course will benefit those working for pharmaceutical companies that develop or market products that target respiratory disorders. Information provided in this course will allow individuals to discuss key features and benefits of pharmaceutical therapies with physicians, pharmacists, and others who specialize in the treatment of patients with respiratory disorders. In addition, because of the importance of the respiratory system, clinicians must often consider the impact of other diseases and treatments on respiratory function. Thus, this course also has relevance for those whose products may influence respiratory function or are used to treat conditions that are often seen concurrently with respiratory diseases.
Chapter Content
Chapter One: Anatomy and Physiology of the Respiratory System
- Functions of the Respiratory System
- The Upper Respiratory System
- The Lower Respiratory Tract
- Respiration
Chapter Two: Pharmacology Related to the Respiratory System
- Overview of Respiratory System Disorders
- Pharmacology of Drugs Relevant to the Respiratory System
- Anti-inflammatory Drugs
- Central Nervous System Drugs: Antitussives and Respiratory Stimulants
- Autonomic Nervous System Drugs: Adrenergics and Cholinergics
- Antihistamines
- Miscellaneous Classes and Agents: Expectorants, Mucolytics, and Xanthine Derivatives
Chapter Three: Selected Disorders of the Respiratory System
- The Common Cold
- Sinusitis
- Asthma
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease