HFHS Inpatient Nursing Pharmacology Practice Test

Expectorants are primarily used to facilitate the clearance of mucus from the respiratory tract, which is particularly beneficial in the case of a productive cough. A productive cough is characterized by the presence of mucus or phlegm, and expectorants work by thinning the mucus, making it easier to expel from the lungs. This mechanism helps to relieve congestion and improve respiratory function.

The other indications listed, such as a dry cough, heartburn, and peptic ulcers, are not appropriate for the use of expectorants. A dry cough does not involve mucus production and may require different treatments, such as cough suppressants. Similarly, heartburn and peptic ulcers are gastrointestinal issues requiring medications that target acid reduction or stomach lining protection, rather than agents aimed at mucus clearance.