NBRC Pharmacology Practice Exam

Dornase alfa is an enzyme that specifically targets and breaks down the thick, viscous mucus characteristic of cystic fibrosis. Patients with cystic fibrosis often suffer from an accumulation of mucus in the lungs, which can lead to severe respiratory complications and infections. Dornase alfa works by cleaving extracellular DNA in the mucus, reducing its viscosity and improving lung function and clearance of secretions. This results in easier expectoration of mucus and helps to maintain better lung health for individuals with cystic fibrosis.

Inhaled medications like albuterol, budesonide, and fluticasone are used for different respiratory conditions; albuterol is a bronchodilator used primarily for quick relief in asthma and COPD, whereas budesonide and fluticasone are corticosteroids that help control inflammation in the airways but do not specifically address the mucus hypersecretion seen in cystic fibrosis. Thus, while those medications play important roles in respiratory therapy, they do not target the unique challenges presented by cystic fibrosis as effectively as dornase alfa does.