Pharmacology Chapter 33: Drug Therapy for Asthma, Airway Inflammation, Bronchoconstriction

The pulmonologist sees many patients daily who suffer from a variety of respiratory disorders. What are some of the common signs and symptoms many of these patients present? (Select all that apply.)

Cough Increased secretions Mucosal congestion

A 70-year-old client is being treated for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with theophylline. What will be a priority assessment by the nurse?

Use of nicotine

The nurse is providing education to the parents of a child who has been newly diagnosed with asthma. During teaching, the nurse should explain that asthma attacks occur when mast cells release substances that cause what reaction?

inflammation.

A client is prescribed a leukotriene receptor antagonist. The nurse should evaluate the effectiveness of the medication therapy based on the long term management of symptoms associated with which respiratory condition?

Asthma

The nursing instructor is teaching a session explaining mast cell stabilizers. The instructor determines the session is successful when the students correctly choose which drug as an example?

Cromolyn

The nurse is reviewing a client's morning blood work and notes a theophylline level of 22.2 mcg/mL (123.21 µmol/L). What action should the nurse take?

Inform the health care provider that the client has toxic theophylline levels.

The nurse is preparing to teach a child with asthma and caregivers about the prescribed corticosteroids. Which factor should the nurse point out will require monitoring?

Rate of growth

A 42-year-old male client has a history of smoking for 20 years. The client states he is feeling fine and asks why stopping smoking is necessary. What information might the nurse share with the client about smoking?

Smoking decreases the size of the tubes leading to the lungs

The nurse is caring for a 38-year-old client with asthma who has been started on albuterol. What assessment finding should the nurse most likely attribute to adverse medication effects?

The client's heart rate is 99 beats/min.

The nurse is caring for a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The plan of care will focus on what client problem?

lack of patent airway

the nurse is caring for a 38 year old client who is beginning treatment with albuterol, which should the nurse identify as a potential adverse effect of the drug

tachycardia

why are inhaled steroids used to treat asthma and COPD

they act locally to decrease release of inflammatory mediators

The nurse has finished teaching a 15-year-old client how to use an inhaler to treat asthma. What statement by the client suggests an understanding of the teaching?

"I need to shake the inhaler well before taking the medication."

The nurse is providing education to a client who has been prescribed theophylline. The nurse interprets what client statement as a sign of successful teaching?

"I should avoid beverages that contain caffeine."

Mr. Ashum is prescribed an albuterol inhaler as part of his treatment regimen for asthma. What is the mechanism of action for this medication?

Albuterol causes relaxation of the bronchial smooth muscles.

A nurse would expect to increase the dosage of theophylline if the client has a current history of which of the following?

Cigarette smoking

A client who has been admitted to the healthcare center has been diagnosed with emphysema. The arterial blood gas results reveal respiratory acidosis. Based on this information, what should the nurse explain to the client that is the cause of the respiratory acidosis?

Excess carbon dioxide in the blood

When describing the mast cells to a group of students, an instructor would include what as being released by these cells? (Select all that apply.)

Histamine Serotonin Adenosine triphosphate

A nurse is providing health education to a client recently diagnosed with asthma and prescribed albuterol and ipratropium. Which of the client's statements suggests a need for clarification by the nurse?

I'll keep taking my medications until I'm not experiencing any more symptoms."

A nurse has administered albuterol to a client with asthma, who is now reporting dizziness, especially when standing up. When analyzing the client's record for potential sources, which prescribed medications should the nurse question?

Methyldopa

The client has been prescribed cromolyn (Intal) for the treatment of asthma, and the nurse is evaluating the client's understanding of the medication. Which statement by the client indicates the need for further education?

"I will use this medication when I am having an asthma attack."

The client has been diagnosed with asthma and is being treated with two inhalers, albuterol and flunisolide. The nurse teaches the client that the two medications should be administered in what order?

Albuterol first, wait five minutes and then follow with flunisolide

A nurse is teaching a client diagnosed with asthma about the disease. Which should the nurse instruct the client to avoid because it may cause bronchoconstriction?

Extremely cold temperatures

The nurse teaches a client receiving an inhaled corticosteroid about the possibility of developing oral thrush. Which action(s) would the nurse include in the teaching plan as a way to reduce this risk? Select all that apply.

Performing strict oral hygiene Cleaning the inhaler per package instructions Using proper technique when administering dose

a client who has been admitted to the healthcare center has been diagnosed with emphysema, the artier blood gas results reveal respiratory acidosis, based on this info, what should the nurse explain to client that is the cause of respiratory acidosis

excess carbon dioxide in the blood

A nurse is providing education to a 56-year-old man who is admitted to the emergency department with an acute asthma attack. The nurse's initial assessment reveals that the patient has a history of pneumonia, drinks large quantities of coffee, and eats a high-calorie diet. Albuterol is prescribed for him. The important consideration when the nurse is preparing a teaching plan will be that the patient

has a high coffee intake.

A newborn, experiencing ineffective alveolar expansion, is receiving treatment. What intervention should the nurse implement to assure the administration of the prescribed medication has been effective?

monitoring respirations for bilateral chest movement