Which mucolytic agent is used in cystic fibrosis management?

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Multiple Choice

Which mucolytic agent is used in cystic fibrosis management?

In cystic fibrosis, thick mucus impairs clearance, so a mucolytic that actually breaks down the mucus strands is used. Dornase alfa (DNase) is the mucolytic given for this purpose; it cleaves extracellular DNA in the mucus, reducing its viscosity and making it easier to cough up, which helps improve airway clearance and lung function when inhaled regularly. Digestive enzymes address pancreatic insufficiency and don’t affect mucus viscosity. Tobramycin is an antibiotic used to treat chronic Pseudomonas infections in CF, not a mucolytic. Advair combines an inhaled corticosteroid and a long-acting bronchodilator for airway inflammation and constriction, not mucus breakdown. So the mucolytic option is dornase alfa (Pulmozyme).

In cystic fibrosis, thick mucus impairs clearance, so a mucolytic that actually breaks down the mucus strands is used. Dornase alfa (DNase) is the mucolytic given for this purpose; it cleaves extracellular DNA in the mucus, reducing its viscosity and making it easier to cough up, which helps improve airway clearance and lung function when inhaled regularly.

Digestive enzymes address pancreatic insufficiency and don’t affect mucus viscosity. Tobramycin is an antibiotic used to treat chronic Pseudomonas infections in CF, not a mucolytic. Advair combines an inhaled corticosteroid and a long-acting bronchodilator for airway inflammation and constriction, not mucus breakdown. So the mucolytic option is dornase alfa (Pulmozyme).

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