Nokea
A nurse assesses a client with asthma and notes bilateral wheezing, decreased pulse oxygen saturation, and suprasternal retraction on inhalation. Which actions should the nurse take? (Select all that apply.)
- A. Administer prescribed salmeterol (Serevent) inhaler.
- B. Assess the client for tracheal deviation.
- C. Perform peak expiratory flow readings.
- D. Administer prescribed albuterol (Proventil) inhaler.
- E. Encourage diaphragmatic breathing.
Correct Answer: C,D
Rationale: Suprasternal retraction and wheezing indicate acute asthma exacerbation. Administering albuterol (a short-acting beta2 agonist) is appropriate for immediate relief, and peak flow readings help assess severity. Salmeterol is a long-acting medication, not for acute attacks. Tracheal deviation is unrelated, and diaphragmatic breathing is not a priority during an acute attack.
You may also like to solve these questions
A nurse auscultates a client's lung fields. Which action should the nurse take based on the lung sounds? (Click the media button to hear the audio clip)
- A. Assess for airway obstruction.
- B. Initiate oxygen therapy.
- C. Assess vital signs.
- D. Elevate the client's head.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Stridor indicates severe airway constriction, requiring immediate assessment for airway obstruction. Administering oxygen, assessing vital signs, or elevating the head are secondary until the airway is addressed.
A nurse cares for a client who is prescribed an intravenous prostacyclin agent. Which actions should the nurse take? (Select all that apply.)
- A. Keep an intravenous line dedicated strictly to the infusion.
- B. Teach the client that this medication increases pulmonary pressures.
- C. Ensure that there is always a backup drug cassette available.
- D. Start a large-bore peripheral intravenous line.
- E. Use strict aseptic technique when using the drug delivery system.
Correct Answer: A,C,E
Rationale: Prostacyclin should be administered via a dedicated central venous catheter with strict aseptic technique to prevent infection. A backup cassette is essential due to risks of interruption. The medication decreases pulmonary pressures, and a central line, not peripheral, is used.
A nurse cares for a client with arthritis who reports frequent asthma attacks. Which action should the nurse take first?
- A. Review the client's pulmonary function test results.
- B. Review medications the client is currently taking.
- C. Assess how frequently the client uses a bronchodilator.
- D. Consider the report of the client with asthma phases.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can trigger asthma in some people due to increased production of leukotrienes when aspirin or NSAIDs suppress other inflammatory pathways. This is a high-priority action given the client's history. Reviewing pulmonary function test results will not address the immediate problem of frequent asthma attacks. Assessing bronchodilator use addresses interventions for attacks but not their cause. Considering asthma phases is not a priority action.
A nurse assesses several clients who have a history of asthma. Which client should the nurse assess first?
- A. A 66-year-old client with a pulse oximetry reading of 91%
- B. A 60-year-old client with a barrel chest and clubbed fingernails
- C. A 35-year-old client who has a longer expiratory phase than inspiratory phase
- D. A 37-year-old client with a heart rate of 120 beats/min
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Tachycardia can indicate hypoxemia as the body tries to circulate the oxygen that is available. A barrel chest is not an emergency finding. Likewise, a pulse oximetry level of 91% is not considered an acute finding. The expiratory phase is expected to be longer than the inspiratory phase in someone with airflow limitation.
After teaching a client who is prescribed a long-acting beta2 agonist medication, a nurse assesses the client's understanding. Which statement indicates the client comprehends the teaching?
- A. I will carry this medication with me at all times in case I need it.
- B. I will take this medication when I start to experience an asthma attack.
- C. I will take this medication every morning to help prevent an acute attack.
- D. I will be weaned off this medication when I no longer need it.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Long-acting beta2 agonist medications are used to prevent asthma attacks due to their long-acting nature. The client should take this medication daily for best effect. It is not a rescue medication, so it does not need to be carried at all times or used during an attack. Clients are not typically weaned off this medication as it is likely a daily maintenance therapy.