Author Question: The nurse is admitting a client with an exacerbation of asthma. The medication list includes ... (Read 73 times)

craiczarry · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

The nurse is admitting a client with an exacerbation of asthma. The medication list includes albuterol, salmeterol, budesonide, cromolyn, and zafirlukast.

The client takes these medicines every day, except for the albuterol. When planning the client's care, the nurse recognizes that:
1. The client is taking too many medications, and several should be discontinued.
2. The therapy is adequate, except that the client should be using the albuterol daily.
3. The client needs several additional preparations if the asthma control standards of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality are to be met.
4. The client's combination of medications is appropriate according to current practice guidelines.

Question 2

When planning care for a client newly diagnosed with asthma, the nurse is aware that heavy caffeine intake could make the client intolerant of certain respiratory medications, including:

1. cromolyn.
2. albuterol.
3. budesonide.
4. montelukast.

ilianabrrr · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 4
Rationale 1: None of these medications should be stopped.
Rationale 2: Albuterol is appropriate as an as-needed short-acting inhaler. It should not be used unless needed.
Rationale 3: These guidelines were established by the National Institutes of Health and are endorsed by the AHRQ.
Rationale 4: Current practice guidelines recommend a long-acting bronchodilator and a steroid for long-term management. Mast cell stabilizer and leukotriene modifiers are also appropriate. Albuterol is appropriate as an as-needed short-acting inhaler.
Global Rationale: In the United States, the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) issued guidelines for asthma treatment in 1991, which were updated in 1997, 2002, and 2007. The NAEPP guidelines (2007) recommend a stepwise approach to asthma control based on the frequency and severity of symptoms. These medications are part of that approach and no changes are indicated.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 1: There are no known herbal or food interactions with cromolyn.
Rationale 2: Products containing caffeine such as coffee and tea may cause nervousness, tremor, or palpitations in clients taking albuterol.
Rationale 3: There are no known herbal or food interactions with budesonide.
Rationale 4: There are no known herbal or food interactions with montelukast.
Global Rationale: Products containing caffeine such as coffee and tea may cause nervousness, tremor, or palpitations. There are no known caffeine interaction with cromolyn, budesonide, or montelukast.