Drugs for Asthma and Other Respiratory Problems

How are asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) different?

Which statement about the pathology of asthma is true?

A patient has been medicated during an asthma attack. Which assessment finding indicates to the nurse that the therapy is ineffective?

A patient with asthma is prescribed albuterol (Proventil) as needed and salmeterol (Serevent) every 12 hours. When the patient asks the nurse why two inhaler drugs are needed, what is the nurses best response?

A patient newly diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is prescribed inhaled pirbuterol (Maxair) every 6 hours. The nurse instructs the patient to take additional drug doses during which specific times or conditions?

A patient reaches for the salmeterol (Serevent) inhaler with the onset of an asthma attack. What is the nurses best instruction to the patient?

A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who is prescribed a short-acting inhaled beta2 agonist reports hating the inhaler and asks why the drug cant be taken as a pill. What is the nurses best response?

A patient with asthma asks why he must take regularly scheduled systemic drugs when he can stop several asthma attacks each day within a few minutes of their onset by using a short-acting beta agonist inhaler. What is the nurses best response?

A patient is prescribed a dry powder inhaler (DPI) for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Which statement made by the patient indicates to the nurse that more instruction is needed?

A patient receiving aminophylline (Theophylline) by continuous IV infusion for a severe asthma attack asks why a blood sample must be drawn. What is the nurses best response?

A child who weighs 20 kg is prescribed an intravenous (IV) aminophylline (Truphylline) loading dose of 500 mg. What is the nurses best action?

Which assessment is most important for the nurse to perform before administering a bronchodilator by inhalation?

A patient is receiving aminophylline (Truphylline) intravenously. Which change in assessment findings indicates to the nurse the possibility of drug toxicity?

A patient who is prescribed oral terbutaline (Breathine) reports all of the following signs and symptoms. Which does the nurse report to the prescriber?

A 75-year-old patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is prescribed tiotropium (Spiriva), an inhaled drug that must be loaded into a Handihaler with each dose. The patient has all of the following health problems. For which problem does the nurse suggest to the prescriber that this drug may not be appropriate?

A patient is prescribed an inhaled bronchodilator and an inhaled corticosteroid. What precaution for using these drugs does the nurse stress to the patient?

How do corticosteroids improve breathing in patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?

A home care patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has oral candidiasis. What additional information does the nurse obtain from this patient?

A patient who has been prescribed an inhaled corticosteroid develops a thick white coating on the tongue and patches on the inside cheeks. What is the nurses best action?

Which drug is more commonly used as therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) than as therapy for asthma?

A patient taking montelukast (Singulair) for the last 2 months has the following blood laboratory test values. Which value does the nurse report to the prescriber immediately?

A patient is starting on the drug cromolyn sodium. Which statement made by the patient indicates a need for clarification about the purpose, administration schedule, or side effects of this drug?

[Multiple Response] Which responses are possible side effects of inhaled beta2 adrenergic agonists? (Select all that apply.)
a. Bad taste in the mouth
b. Increased salivation
c. Difficulty sleeping
d. Rapid heart rate
e. Hypotension
f. Diarrhea

[Multiple Response] Which responses are possible side effects of inhaled beta2 adrenergic agonists? (Select all that apply.)
a. Bad taste in the mouth
b. Increased salivation
c. Difficulty sleeping
d. Rapid heart rate
e. Hypotension
f. Diarrhea

[Sequencing] A patient has been prescribed an aerosol inhaler without a spacer. In what order does the nurse teach the patient to perform these steps?
A. Remove the canister and clean the plastic case and cap of the inhaler.
B. Shake the inhaler.
C. Remove the cap from the mouth piece.
D. Hold your breath for at least 10 seconds.
E. Tilt your head back slightly and breathe out fully.
F. Open your mouth and place the mouthpiece 1 to 2 inches away.
G. Press down firmly on the canister of the inhaler.
H. Breathe in deeply through your mouth.
I. Exhale slowly.