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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.
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A clinic nurse is caring for a patient who has just been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The patient asks the nurse what he could have done to minimize the risk of contracting this disease. What would be the nurses best answer?
- A. The most important risk factor for COPD is exposure to occupational toxins.
- B. The most important risk factor for COPD is inadequate exercise.
- C. The most important risk factor for COPD is exposure to dust and pollen.
- D. The most important risk factor for COPD is cigarette smoking.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The most important risk factor for COPD is cigarette smoking. Lack of exercise and exposure to dust and pollen are not risk factors for COPD. Occupational risks are significant but are far exceeded by smoking.
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.
A nurse is developing a teaching plan for a patient with COPD. What should the nurse include as the most important area of teaching?
- A. Avoiding extremes of heat and cold
- B. Setting and accepting realistic short- and long-range goals
- C. Adopting a lifestyle of moderate activity
- D. Avoiding emotional disturbances and stressful situations
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A major area of teaching involves setting and accepting realistic short-term and long-range goals. The other options should also be included in the teaching plan, but they are not areas that are as high a priority as setting and accepting realistic goals.
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.
A pediatric nurse practitioner is caring for a child who has just been diagnosed with asthma. The nurse has provided the parents with information that includes potential causative agents for an asthmatic reaction. What potential causative agent should the nurse describe?
- A. Pets
- B. Lack of sleep
- C. Psychosocial stress
- D. Bacteria
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Common causative agents that may trigger an asthma attack are as follows: dust, dust mites, pets, soap, certain foods, molds, and pollens. Lack of sleep, stress, and bacteria are not common triggers for asthma attacks.