Author Question: A patient will be discharged home with albuterol (Proventil) to use for asthma symptoms. What ... (Read 52 times)

yoooooman · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

A patient will be discharged home with albuterol (Proventil) to use for asthma symptoms. What information will the nurse include when teaching this patient about this medication?

a. Failure to respond to the medication indicates a need for a higher dose.
b. Monitor for hypoglycemia symptoms when using this medication.
c. Palpitations are common with this drug even at normal, therapeutic doses.
d. Overuse of this medication can result in airway narrowing and bronchospasm.

Question 2

The nurse is caring for a patient recently diagnosed with mild emphysema and provides teaching about the disease and medications for treatment. Which statement by the patient indicates understanding of the medication regimen?

a. I should use albuterol when my symptoms worsen.
b. I will need to take oral prednisone on a daily basis.
c. My provider will prescribe prophylactic antibiotics.
d. My symptoms are reversible with proper medications.

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

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
Excessive use of an aerosol drug can occasionally cause severe paradoxical airway resistance, so patients should be cautioned against overuse. Excessive use can also lead to tolerance and loss of drug effectiveness, but patients should not increase the dose because of the risk of bronchospasm and the increased incidence of adverse effects such as tremors and tachycardia. Hyperglycemia can occur. Palpitations are common with increased doses but not at therapeutic doses.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
Albuterol is used to treat bronchospasm during symptom flares. Oral prednisone is given for acute flares but not generally on a daily basis until symptoms are chronic and severe because of the risk of adrenal suppression. Prophylactic antibiotics are not given regularly because of the risk of antibiotic resistance. Symptoms of emphysema are not reversible.