A 74-year-old female older adult was admitted to the ER with Shortness of breath, lethargy, and dry oral mucosa. The patient reports being thirsty, and no complaints of pain are noted. BP is 90/50, HR 122, temperature 100, and pulse ox is 94%. The patient is started on IV therapy and has been diagnosed with Dehydration. Her height is 5 Feet, 3 inches and her current weight is 98 pounds. Dark scanty urine present, NKDA or NKFA and has a history of gout, falls, and loss of appetite.

After reviewing the patient's information, identify all pertinent assessment data that is important and of immediate concern.

Select all that apply.

Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure performed on the nose, and it often involves the placement of nasal packing to control bleeding, support the nasal structures, and promote healing. Nasal packing can cause mouth breathing and oral dryness, which can lead to increased swallowing as the patient tries to alleviate the discomfort.

While bleeding posterior to the nasal packing is a potential complication of rhinoplasty, it typically presents with other symptoms such as active bleeding, nasal discharge, or changes in vital signs. Without additional information or signs of active bleeding, it is less likely to be the cause of the patient's frequent swallowing in this scenario.

An adverse reaction to the analgesic is possible, but it would typically present with other symptoms such as allergic reactions (rash, swelling, difficulty breathing) or gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting). In the absence of these symptoms, an adverse reaction to the analgesic is less likely.

Lastly, a normal response to the analgesic and surgery would not typically manifest as frequent swallowing. While pain medication can cause side effects, such as drowsiness or nausea, increased swallowing is not a common response.

Albuterol is a short-acting beta-agonist bronchodilator that provides rapid relief of bronchospasm and helps to alleviate the symptoms of respiratory distress in asthma. It acts quickly to relax the smooth muscles in the airways, improving airflow and relieving wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. In an acute asthma exacerbation, albuterol is often the first-line medication used to provide immediate relief and improve respiratory function. Prednisone is an oral corticosteroid that has anti-inflammatory effects and is commonly used in the treatment of asthma. However, it is typically administered orally and takes time to exert its effects. In the emergency department setting, the focus is on providing immediate relief of symptoms, and oral medications like prednisone may not have an immediate effect. Ipratropium is an anticholinergic bronchodilator that can be administered via inhalation. While it is effective in relieving bronchospasm, it is generally used as an adjunct to albuterol and not typically the first-line medication for severe respiratory distress in asthma. Fluticasone is an inhaled corticosteroid that has anti-inflammatory effects and is used for long-term management and control of asthma. It is not appropriate for immediate relief of severe respiratory distress and is not typically used as a first-line medication in the emergency department.