A nurse is assessing a client who has a prescription for oral albuterol for the long-term management of asthma.
For which of the following adverse effects should the nurse monitor?

Choice A rationale: The respiratory rate is elevated from 22/min to 34/min, indicating worsening respiratory distress and increased work of breathing. Normal adult respiratory rates range from 12 to 20 breaths per minute. Tachypnea can signify hypoxia, infection progression, or impending respiratory failure, requiring immediate clinical reassessment and possible intervention to maintain adequate oxygenation and ventilation.

Choice B rationale: The blood pressure has dropped from 116/78 mm Hg to 98/62 mm Hg, indicating hypotension. Normal adult BP is around 120/80 mm Hg. This decrease suggests possible sepsis or shock, decreasing organ perfusion. Hypotension combined with other signs of systemic infection warrants urgent evaluation and treatment to prevent multi-organ dysfunction.

Choice C rationale: No incontinence is reported, so this finding is not clinically significant in this scenario. Incontinence can indicate neurological compromise or severe systemic illness but is absent here, making it a non-urgent parameter for follow-up in this context.

Choice D rationale: The client’s temperature remains elevated above normal (39.3°C to 39.4°C). Normal body temperature ranges from 36.5°C to 37.5°C. Persistent fever indicates ongoing infection but is less immediately life-threatening than respiratory or hemodynamic instability, thus not requiring immediate intervention compared to other parameters.

Choice E rationale: The heart rate has increased from 90 to 100 bpm, which is within mild tachycardia range but still within compensatory limits for fever and infection. Normal resting heart rate ranges from 60 to 100 bpm. Though elevated, it is less urgent than hypoxia or hypotension but requires monitoring.

Choice F rationale: The productive cough indicates pulmonary infection but is expected in pneumonia and not an immediate sign of deterioration needing urgent follow-up. The presence of cough aids diagnosis but does not directly indicate acute decompensation.

Choice G rationale: Oxygen saturation decreased from 94% to 86%, which is critically low (normal ≥ 95%). Hypoxemia suggests severe impairment in gas exchange and respiratory failure risk. Immediate oxygen supplementation and further respiratory support are required to prevent tissue hypoxia and organ damage.

Choice H rationale: Restlessness indicates hypoxia or anxiety but is a subjective symptom. While it signals distress, it is less precise than objective measures such as respiratory rate or oxygen saturation for urgent intervention.

Choice I rationale: Diminished lung sounds with crackles reflect pulmonary infection and consolidation but are physical examination findings not requiring immediate change in management compared to vital sign abnormalities indicating acute deterioration.

Choice J rationale: Large erythematous blotches suggest a possible allergic reaction to antibiotic therapy, posing a risk for anaphylaxis. This dermatologic change requires immediate assessment to prevent airway compromise or systemic hypersensitivity reactions, warranting urgent follow-up.

Choice A rationale

Ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone, a common oral contraceptive combination, can sometimes lead to weight gain rather than weight loss. This is often attributed to fluid retention and changes in appetite or metabolism, rather than a catabolic effect causing weight reduction.

Choice B rationale

Easy bruising is not a typical manifestation of ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone use. While some hormonal contraceptives can affect coagulation factors, leading to an increased risk of thrombosis, they do not generally cause increased capillary fragility or platelet dysfunction manifesting as easy bruising.

Choice C rationale

Oral contraceptives containing estrogen, such as ethinyl estradiol, can actually cause a slight increase in blood pressure in some individuals due to their effects on the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, leading to sodium and water retention. Low blood pressure is not a common adverse effect.

Choice D rationale

Breakthrough bleeding, or irregular uterine bleeding that occurs during hormone therapy, is a common adverse effect of combined oral contraceptives like ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone, especially during the initial cycles of use. It results from an imbalance in the hormonal effects on the endometrium.