Session 2

• What is the general action of antihistamines?

  Block histamine action.
• What are the 2 types of histamine receptors?

  1. H1 — smooth muscle/endothelial cell.s
  2. H2 - Gastric/parietal cells.
• What happens when you block histamine action?

  reduces inflammatory and immune response.
• What are H1 receptors associated with?

  Allergic reactions and MAST cell reactions.
• What are H2 receptors associated with?

  Gastric reflux by reducing stomach acid production.
• What is the role of antibiotics?

  Kill bacteria
• How do antibiotics kill bacteria?

  Inhibition of cell wall synthesis, DNA replication or protein synthesis.
• Define anaphylaxis: severe allergic reaction that's acute and potentially life-threatening. Hypersensitive immune response.
• what are some types of allergens?

  Pollen, dust mites, pet dander, mold, food, insect stings.
• what does the histamine release in anaphylaxis do?

  widespread vasodilation (hypotension) and increased peripheral vasodilation (odema).
• what does the prostaglandin release produce in anaphylaxis?

  bronchoconstriction (wheezing/dysponea)
• what does the release of leukotrienes cause?

  further prolonged bronchoconstriction and increased capillary permeability
• 4 main pillars of treatment for anaphylaxis?

  1. Recognise and suspect (treat without delay)
  2. Position pt (supine to improve venous return)
  3. IM adrenaline
  4. Supplemental O2
• what does the quick administration of adrenaline do in an anaphylactic patient?

  counters physical responses including causing vasocontriction, reducing capillary permeability, providing bronchodilation, improving cardiac output and stabilising MAST cells.
• why is IM adrenaline always first line for anaphylactic patients?

  rapid onset
• when is IV adrenaline used?

  vascular collapse and impending cardiac arrest
• should IV adrenaline or salbutamol be administered before IM adrenaline?

  no
• what do the inflammatory mediators do when released in anaphylaxis?

  causes vasodilation, increased vascular permeability, smooth muscle contraction in airways, increased mucus secretion, recruitment of all inflammatory cells, ANS activation
• what do MAST cell stabilisers do?

  block degranulation and prevent histamine release
• What do antihistamines do?

  block histamine release
• what do NSAIDS do?

  relieve inflammation, pain and fever by reducing prostaglandin action
• What do antibiotics do?

  kill bacteria
• What is a major key factor in determining if the infection is bacterial?

  sudden onset
• what do antiviral drugs do?

  inhibit growth and development by interfering with enzymatic processes
• what types of viruses are antiviral drugs targeting?

  prolonged illness or significant injury to body, organs or system
• Examples of viruses that are usually treated with antiviral medication?

  Hepatitis, herpes, HIV
• what do corticosteroids do?

  reduce inflammatory mediators, antibodies and some actions of T cells
• what else are corticosteroids used for?

  post organ transplant (to prevent organ being rejected)
• what does the COX enzyme produce?

  prostaglandin (promotes inflammation) and activates platelets
• what type of antibiotic is used if pathogen hasn't been identified?

  broad spectrum
• What type of antibiotics are used if pathogen has been identified?


  specific antibiotic
• example of broad spectrum antibiotics?

  amoxicillin, gentamicin
• example of specific antibiotics?

  penicillin
• Definition of diabetes mellitus?

  elevated blood sugar level through the absence or inadequacy of circulating insulin
• what is insulin?

  hormone produce by pancreas's beta cells
• pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus?

  systemic endocrine disorder characterised by relative or absolute lack of insulin

  OR

  tissue becomes insensitive to insulin (insulin resistance) with/without normal pancreas function
• why is insulin important?

  helps sugar move from blood into cells
• what happens in type 1 diabetes?

  pancreatic beta cell destruction occurs leading to no insulin produced
• What happens in type 2 diabetes?

  decrease in number of insulin receptors and/or insulin receptor sites becoming insulin resistant and/or beta cells in pancreas not producing enough insulin
• What is another type of diabetes?

  gestational