Airways Under Pressure: Navigating Cystic Fibrosis Pulmonary Care
Target Audience: Pharmacist
Course Overview
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a complex, inherited genetic disorder that primarily affects the lungs and digestive system, but its impact extends to multiple organs throughout the body. Thick, sticky mucus resulting from the faulty CFTR gene leads to chronic respiratory problems, frequent infections, and significant digestive difficulties, making CF a lifelong, progressive disease that varies in severity among patients. Advancements in treatments and multidisciplinary care have improved outcomes, enabling many individuals to live longer and healthier lives, though respiratory failure remains a leading cause of mortality.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this educational activity, participants should be able to:
- Describe the genetic mutations and molecular mechanisms underlying cystic fibrosis (CF)
- Identify diagnostic methods and clinical indicators used to diagnose CF
- Recognize complications associated with CF
- Discuss the current recommendations for long-term lung health in CF patients
Faculty
I. Introduction
II. Understanding the Burden and Biology of Cystic Fibrosis
III. Screening and Diagnosis
IV. Clinical Presentation
V. Cystic Fibrosis Management
VI. CFTR Modular Therapies
VII. Therapies to Manage Lung Health
A. Long-Term Clearance of Airway Secretions
B. Chronic Airway Infections
C. Chronic Airway Inflammation
VIII. Pulmonary CF Complications
A. Pulmonary Exacerbation (PEx)
B. Hemoptysis
C. Pneumothorax
D. Chronic Rhinosinusitis (CRS) and Nasal Polyposis
IX. Transitioning to Adulthood
X. Pulmonary and Extrapulmonary CF Complications
1. Pulmonary Exacerbation (PEx)
2. Hemoptysis
3. Pneumothorax
4. Chronic Rhinosinusitis (CRS) and Nasal Polyposis
XI. Transitioning to Adulthood
XII. Patient Counseling
XIII. Next Steps
XIV. Summary
From October 17, 2025 through October 17, 2028, participants must:
- Read the "learning objectives" and "author and planning team disclosures"
- Study the section entitled "educational activity"
- Complete the Course Test and Evaluation form. The Course Test will be graded automatically. Following successful completion of the Course Test with a score of 70% or higher, a statement of participation will be made available immediately. (No partial credit will be given.)
Credit for this course will be automatically uploaded to CPE Monitor®.
Faculty Planner Disclosure
The following individuals were involved in developing this activity: Sandra Rogers, MD, Jennifer Salvon, RPh, and Pamela Sardo, PharmD, BS. None of the individuals involved in developing this activity has a conflict of interest or financial relationships related to the subject matter. There are no financial relationships or commercial or financial support relevant to this activity to report or disclose by RxCe.com or any of the individuals involved in the development of this activity.
Unlabeled Use Disclosure
The information provided in this course is general in nature and it is solely designed to provide participants with continuing education credit(s). This course and materials are not meant to substitute for the independent, professional judgment of any participant regarding that participant’s professional practice, including but not limited to patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Medical and pharmacy practices, rules, and laws vary from state to state, and this course does not cover the laws of each state; therefore, participants must consult the laws of their state as they relate to their professional practice. Healthcare professionals, including pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, must consult with their employer, healthcare facility, hospital, or other organization, for guidelines, protocols, and procedures they are to follow. The information provided in this course does not replace those guidelines, protocols, and procedures but is for academic purposes only, and this course’s limited purpose is for the completion of continuing education credits. Participants are advised and acknowledge that information related to medications, their administration, dosing, contraindications, adverse reactions, interactions, warnings, precautions, or accepted uses are constantly changing, and any person taking this course understands that such person must make an independent review of medication information prior to any patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Any discussion of off-label use of any medication, device, or procedure is informational only and such uses are not endorsed hereby. Nothing contained in this course represents the opinions, views, judgments, or conclusions of RxCe.com LLC. RxCe.com LLC is not liable or responsible to any person for any inaccuracy, error, or omission with respect to this course, or course material.
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Accreditation
In support of improving patient care, RxCE.com is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.