Qualified Medication Aides (QMA) Practice Exam

What is the action of an antitussive medication?

1. Stimulates mucus production

2. Increases cough reflex

3. Depresses cough

4. Promotes bronchial dilation

The correct answer is: Depresses cough

Antitussive medications primarily work by suppressing or depressing the cough reflex in the body. This is particularly useful in situations where a cough is unproductive, causing discomfort or irritation without aiding in clearing secretions from the airways. By acting on the central nervous system or the peripheral cough reflex pathways, these medications reduce the urge to cough, allowing patients to rest and recover more comfortably. Stimulation of mucus production is associated with expectorants, which help clear mucus from the respiratory tract, rather than antitussives. Increasing the cough reflex would be counterproductive for patients suffering from conditions that require coughing to be controlled, such as chronic bronchitis or severe respiratory infections. Promoting bronchial dilation relates to bronchodilators, which are used to relieve symptoms in conditions like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, but does not describe the action of antitussive medications.