Author Question: A patient newly diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is prescribed inhaled ... (Read 74 times)

formula1 · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

A patient newly diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is prescribed inhaled pirbuterol (Maxair) every 6 hours. The nurse instructs the patient to take additional drug doses during which specific times or conditions?

a. At bedtime
b. When feeling especially nervous
c. When feeling especially breathless
d. If the peak expiratory flow rate is 80 or greater than his or her personal best

Question 2

A patient with asthma is prescribed albuterol (Proventil) as needed and salmeterol (Serevent) every 12 hours. When the patient asks the nurse why two inhaler drugs are needed, what is the nurse's best response?

a. Albuterol opens your airways and salmeterol decreases the inflammation.
b. I will check with the prescriber to determine whether you can just use one drug.
c. Albuterol is a rescue drug to stop asthma attacks and salmeterol prevents at-tacks.
d. Salmeterol helps you breathe better and albuterol opens alveoli for gas ex-change.

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

Answer to Question 1

C
Unlike for asthma, short-acting beta2 adrenergic agonists often are prescribed on a schedule and as an additional rescue drug for the patient with COPD. Extra doses may be needed to open the airways whenever the patient feels especially breathless.

Answer to Question 2

C
Even though both drugs are beta2 agonists, they are both normally prescribed for the patient with asthma. Short-acting (but rapid-acting) beta2 agonists (albuterol) are used to reduce the severity or stop an asthma attack. Long-acting beta2 agonists (salmeterol) can prevent attacks when taken daily; however, their onset of action is so slow that these drugs are not helpful to stop an attack that has already started.