After teaching a client who is prescribed a long-acting beta2 ...

[Garrulous]

After teaching a client who is prescribed a long-acting beta2 agonist medication, a nurse assesses the client's understanding. Which statement indicates the client comprehends the teaching?
 
  a. I will carry this medication with me at all times in case I need it.
  b. I will take this medication when I start to experience an asthma attack.
  c. I will take this medication every morning to help prevent an acute attack.
  d. I will be weaned off this medication when I no longer need it.

Question 2

A nurse cares for a client with arthritis who reports frequent asthma attacks. Which action should the nurse take first?
 
  a. Review the client's pulmonary function test results.
  b. Ask about medications the client is currently taking.
  c. Assess how frequently the client uses a bronchodilator.
  d. Consult the provider and request arterial blood gases.

[jessofishing]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
Long-acting beta2 agonist medications will help prevent an acute asthma attack because they are long acting. The client will take this medication every day for best effect. The client does not have to always keep this medication with him or her because it is not used as a rescue medication. This is not the medication the client will use during an acute asthma attack because it does not have an immediate onset of action. The client will not be weaned off this medication because this is likely to be one of his or her daily medications.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
Aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can trigger asthma in some people. This results from increased production of leukotriene when aspirin or NSAIDs suppress other inflammatory pathways and is a high priority given the client's history. Reviewing pulmonary function test results will not address the immediate problem of frequent asthma attacks. This is a good intervention for reviewing response to bronchodilators. Questioning the client about the use of bronchodilators will address interventions for the attacks but not their cause. Reviewing arterial blood gas results would not be of use in a client between attacks because many clients are asymptomatic when not having attacks.