Celebrating its 30th year in publication, the new edition of this classic resource boasts enhanced readability, a full-color design, and a new author who brings a fresh perspective on respiratory care pharmacology. This authoritative book provides essential, need-to-know information about respiratory pharmacology in an easy-to-understand format that simplifies complex concepts and prepares you for practice. Completely updated, this edition includes the most recent FDA approved medications and reflects the current state of respiratory care practice in today's health care environment.

• Logically organized and easy-to-read, this resource provides complete coverage of pharmacokinetic principles as they relate to respiratory care.
• Offers a solid foundation in the basics of respiratory care pharmacology with information on the principles of drug action, the basic methods of drug administration, standard drug calculations, and the effects of drugs on body systems.
• Includes comprehensive information on the drugs most frequently delivered to patients by respiratory therapists.
• Provides concise coverage of the drugs used to treat critical care and cardiovascular patients.

Unit I: Basic Concepts and Principles in Pharmacology

1. Introduction to Respiratory Care Pharmacology

2. Principles of Drug Action

3. Administration of Aerosolized Agents

4. Calculating Drug Doses

5. The Central and Peripheral Nervous System

Unit II: Drugs Used to Treat the Respiratory System

6. Adrenergic (Sympathomimetic) Bronchodilators

7. Anticholinergic (Parasympatholytic) Bronchodilators

8. Xanthines

9. Mucus-Controlling Drug Therapy

10. Surfactant Agents

11. Corticosteriods in Respiratory Care

12. Nonsteroidal Antiasthma Agents

13. Aerosolized Antiinfective Agents

14. Antimicrobial Agents

15. Cold and Cough Agents

16. Selected Agents of Pulmonary Value

17. Neonatal and Pediatric Aerosolized Drug Therapy

Unit III: Critical Care and Cardiovascular Drug Classes

18. Skeletal Muscle Relaxants (Neuromuscular Blocking Agents)

19. Vasopressors, Inotropes and Antiarrhythmic Agents

20. Drugs Affecting Circulation: Antihypertensives, Antianginals, Antithrombotics

21. Diuretic Agents

22. Drugs Affecting the Central Nervous System

Appendix A: Answers to Assessment Questions and Clinical Scenarios

Appendix B: Units and Systems of Measurement

Appendix C: Recommendations on the Use of Aerosol Generators

Appendix D: Pharmacological Management of Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

By Douglas S. Gardenhire, EdD(c), RRT, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA