Author Question: The nurse teaches a patient who has asthma about peak flow meter use. Which action by the patient ... (Read 126 times)

ishan · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

The nurse teaches a patient who has asthma about peak flow meter use. Which action by the patient indicates that teaching was successful?

a. The patient inhales rapidly through the peak flow meter mouthpiece.
b. The patient takes montelukast (Singulair) for peak flows in the red zone.
c. The patient calls the health care provider when the peak flow is in the green zone.
d. The patient uses albuterol (Proventil) metered dose inhaler (MDI) for peak flows in the yellow zone.

Question 2

A patient seen in the asthma clinic has recorded daily peak flows that are 75 of the baseline. Which action will the nurse plan to take next?

a. Increase the dose of the leukotriene inhibitor.
b. Teach the patient about the use of oral corticosteroids.
c. Administer a bronchodilator and recheck the peak flow.
d. Instruct the patient to keep the next scheduled follow-up appointment.

diana chang · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
Readings in the yellow zone indicate a decrease in peak flow. The patient should use short-acting 2-adrenergic (SABA) medications. Readings in the green zone indicate good asthma control. The patient should exhale quickly and forcefully through the peak flow meter mouthpiece to obtain the readings. Readings in the red zone do not indicate good peak flow, and the patient should take a fast-acting bronchodilator and call the health care provider for further instructions. Singulair is not indicated for acute attacks but rather is used for maintenance therapy.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
The patient's peak flow reading indicates that the condition is worsening (yellow zone). The patient should take the bronchodilator and recheck the peak flow. Depending on whether the patient returns to the green zone, indicating well-controlled symptoms, the patient may be prescribed oral corticosteroids or a change in dosing of other medications. Keeping the next appointment is appropriate, but the patient also needs to be taught how to control symptoms now and use the bronchodilator.