Nokea
The nurse is reviewing medications for the treatment of asthma. Which drugs are used for quick relief of asthma attacks? (Select all that apply.)
- A. Salmeterol inhaler
- B. Albuterol nebulizer solution
- C. Intravenous systemic corticosteroids
- D. Montelukast
- E. Fluticasone inhaler
Correct Answer: B,C
Rationale: Albuterol (a short-acting beta agonist) and intravenous systemic corticosteroids are used to provide quick relief for asthma. Salmeterol is a long-acting beta agonist that is indicated for maintenance treatment, not acute episodes. Fluticasone is an inhaled corticosteroid; montelukast is a leukotriene receptor antagonist (LTRA). These types of medications are used for asthma prophylaxis.
You may also like to solve these questions
When educating a patient recently placed on inhaled corticosteroids, the nurse will discuss which potential adverse effects?
- A. Fatigue and depression
- B. Anxiety and palpitations
- C. Headache and rapid heart rate
- D. Oral candidiasis and dry mouth
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Oral candidiasis and dry mouth are two possible adverse effects of inhaled corticosteroids. The other responses are incorrect.
A patient has prescriptions for two inhalers. One inhaler is a bronchodilator, and the other is a corticosteroid. Which instruction regarding these inhalers will the nurse give to the patient?
- A. Take the corticosteroid inhaler first.
- B. Take the bronchodilator inhaler first.
- C. Take these two drugs at least 2 hours apart.
- D. It does not matter which inhaler you use first.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An inhaled bronchodilator is used before the inhaled corticosteroid to provide bronchial relaxation/dilation before administration of the anti-inflammatory drug.
A patient will be receiving oral theophylline, 600 mg/day, in three divided doses. Identify how many milligrams the patient will receive per dose.
Correct Answer: 200 mg
Rationale: 600 mg/day divided by 3 doses per day = 200 mg/dose.
The prescriber has changed the patient's medication regimen to include the leukotriene receptor antagonist (LTRA) montelukast to treat asthma. The nurse will emphasize which point about this medication?
- A. The proper technique for inhalation must be followed.
- B. The patient needs to keep it close by at all times to treat acute asthma attacks.
- C. It needs to be taken every day on a continuous schedule, even if symptoms improve.
- D. When the asthma symptoms improve, the dosage schedule can be tapered and eventually discontinued.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: LTRAs are indicated for chronic, not acute, asthma and are to be taken every day on a continuous schedule, even if symptoms improve. These drugs are taken orally.
The nurse is monitoring drug levels for a patient who is receiving theophylline. The most recent theophylline level was 22 mcg/mL, and the nurse evaluates this level to be
- A. below the therapeutic level.
- B. at a therapeutic level.
- C. above the therapeutic level.
- D. at a toxic level.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Although the optimal level may vary from patient to patient, most standard references have suggested that the therapeutic range for theophylline blood level is 10 to 20 mcg/mL. However, most clinicians now advise levels between 5 and 15 mcg/mL.