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A nurse is caring for a patient who has been hospitalized with an acute asthma exacerbation. What drugs should the nurse expect to be ordered for this patient to gain underlying control of persistent asthma?
- A. Rescue inhalers
- B. Anti-inflammatory drugs
- C. Antibiotics
- D. Antitussives
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Because the underlying pathology of asthma is inflammation, control of persistent asthma is accomplished primarily with regular use of anti-inflammatory medications. Rescue inhalers, antibiotics, and antitussives do not aid in the first-line control of persistent asthma.
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An interdisciplinary team is planning the care of a patient with bronchiectasis. What aspects of care should the nurse anticipate?
- A. Occupational therapy
- B. Antimicrobial therapy
- C. Positive pressure isolation
- D. Chest physiotherapy
- E. Smoking cessation
Correct Answer: B,D,E
Rationale: Chest physiotherapy, antibiotics, and smoking cessation are cornerstones of the care of patients with bronchiectasis. Occupational therapy and isolation are not normally indicated.
A nurses assessment reveals that a client with COPD may be experiencing bronchospasm. What assessment finding would suggest that the patient is experiencing bronchospasm?
- A. Fine or coarse crackles on auscultation
- B. Wheezes or diminished breath sounds on auscultation
- C. Reduced respiratory rate or lethargy
- D. Slow, deliberate respirations
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Wheezing and diminished breath sounds are consistent with bronchospasm. Crackles are usually attributable to other respiratory or cardiac pathologies. Bronchospasm usually results in rapid, inefficient breathing and agitation.
A nurse is explaining to a patient with asthma what her new prescription for prednisone is used for. What would be the most accurate explanation that the nurse could give?
- A. To ensure long-term prevention of asthma exacerbations
- B. To cure any systemic infection underlying asthma attacks
- C. To prevent recurrent pulmonary infections
- D. To gain prompt control of inadequately controlled, persistent asthma
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Prednisone is used for a short-term (3-10 days) burst to gain prompt control of inadequately controlled, persistent asthma. It is not used to treat infection or to prevent exacerbations in the long term.
An asthma nurse educator is working with a group of adolescent asthma patients. What intervention is most likely to prevent asthma exacerbations among these patients?
- A. Encouraging patients to carry a corticosteroid rescue inhaler at all times
- B. Educating patients about recognizing and avoiding asthma triggers
- C. Teaching patients to utilize alternative therapies in asthma management
- D. Ensuring that patients keep their immunizations up to date
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Asthma exacerbations are best managed by early treatment and education, including the use of written action plans as part of any overall effort to educate patients about self-management techniques, especially those with moderate or severe persistent asthma or with a history of severe exacerbations. Corticosteroids are not used as rescue inhalers. Alternative therapies are not normally a high priority, though their use may be appropriate in some cases. Immunizations should be kept up to date, but this does not necessarily prevent asthma exacerbations.
An admitting nurse is assessing a patient with COPD. The nurse auscultates diminished breath sounds, which signify changes in the airway. These changes indicate to the nurse to monitor the patient for what?
- A. Kyphosis and clubbing of the fingers
- B. Dyspnea and hypoxemia
- C. Sepsis and pneumothorax
- D. Bradypnea and pursed lip breathing
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: These changes in the airway require that the nurse monitor the patient for dyspnea and hypoxemia. Kyphosis is a musculoskeletal problem. Sepsis and pneumothorax are atypical complications. Tachypnea is much more likely than bradypnea. Pursed lip breathing can relieve dyspnea.