Author Question: The nurse reviews the medication administration record (MAR) for a patient having an acute asthma ... (Read 109 times)

jayhills49 · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

The nurse reviews the medication administration record (MAR) for a patient having an acute asthma attack. Which medication should the nurse administer first?

a. Albuterol (Ventolin) 2.5 mg per nebulizer
b. Methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol) 60 mg IV
c. Salmeterol (Serevent) 50 mcg per dry-powder inhaler (DPI)
d. Triamcinolone (Azmacort) 2 puffs per metered-dose inhaler (MDI)

Question 2

The clinic nurse makes a follow-up telephone call to a patient with asthma. The patient reports having a baseline peak flow reading of 600 L/minute and the current peak flow is 420 L/minute. Which action should the nurse take first?

a. Tell the patient to go to the hospital emergency department.
b. Instruct the patient to use the prescribed albuterol (Proventil).
c. Ask about recent exposure to any new allergens or asthma triggers.
d. Question the patient about use of the prescribed inhaled corticosteroids.

essyface1 · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
Albuterol is a rapidly acting bronchodilator and is the first-line medication to reverse airway narrowing in acute asthma attacks. The other medications work more slowly.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
The patient's peak flow is 70 of normal, indicating a need for immediate use of short-acting 2-adrenergic SABA medications. Assessing for correct use of medications or exposure to allergens also is appropriate, but would not address the current decrease in peak flow. Because the patient is currently in the yellow zone, hospitalization is not needed.