You receive a call from the attending physician of a 68-year-old patient with chronic bronchitis.He reports that the patient has very thick secretions that she is unable to remove from her airway and asks for your recommendations.The drug most indicated for this patient is:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

N-acetylcysteine is a mucolytic agent that can break down the thick secretions in patients with chronic bronchitis, making it easier for them to clear their airways. Dornase alfa is also a mucolytic agent, but it is more commonly used in patients with cystic fibrosis who have thick, tenacious secretions. Sodium bicarbonate is not effective in breaking down thick secretions, and Survanta is a surfactant used in the treatment of respiratory distress syndrome in premature infants, not in patients with chronic bronchitis.

You Receive a Call from the Attending Physician of a 68-Year-Old