A nurse is preparing to administer hydrocortisone 100 mg IM daily to a client. Available is hydrocortisone 250 mg/2 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose?

(Round the answer to the nearest tenth number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)

Keeping the drainage system below the level of the client's chest prevents backflow of fluid or air into the pleural space and maintains negative pressure in the system.

a) Disconnecting the chest tube from the drainage system during transport is dangerous and can cause pneumothorax, infection, or bleeding. The chest tube should remain connected to the drainage system at all times unless ordered by the provider.
b) Emptying the collection chamber prior to transport is unnecessary and can interfere with accurate measurement of drainage. The collection chamber should be emptied only when it is full or at the end of each shift.
c) Clamping the chest tube prior to transferring the client to a wheelchair is contraindicated and can cause tension pneumothorax, as it prevents air from escaping the pleural space. The chest tube should only be clamped for a brief period when changing the drainage system or checking for air leaks, and only with a provider's order.

These responses are correct and explain how albuterol helps the client's breathing. Albuterol is a short- acting beta2-agonist that causes bronchodilation and relieves bronchospasm, which are the main causes of wheezing and dyspnea in clients who have asthma or COPD. By opening the airways, albuterol improves gas exchange and oxygenation.

b) The medication will decrease coughing episodes. This response is incorrect and does not explain how albuterol helps the client's breathing. Albuterol does not have a direct effect on coughing, which is a reflex response to irritation or obstruction of the airways. Coughing may be beneficial for clearing secretions and mucus from the lungs, but it may also cause bronchoconstriction and inflammation. The nurse should advise the client to use other measures to decrease coughing, such as drinking fluids, using a humidifier, or taking an expectorant.
c) The medication will reduce inflammation. This response is incorrect and does not explain how albuterol helps the client's breathing. Albuterol does not have an anti-inflammatory effect on the airways, which are often inflamed and swollen in clients who have asthma or COPD. Inflammation can contribute to airway obstruction and mucus production, which impair gas exchange and oxygenation. The nurse should inform the client that albuterol is used for quick relief of acute symptoms, but not for long-term control or prevention of inflammation. The client may need to use another medication, such as an inhaled corticosteroid, to reduce inflammation.
e) The medication will stimulate flow of mucus. This response is incorrect and does not explain how albuterol helps the client's breathing. Albuterol does not have a direct effect on mucus production or clearance, which are often increased in clients who have asthma or COPD. Mucus can cause airway obstruction and infection, which impair gas exchange and oxygenation. The nurse should advise the client to use other measures to stimulate flow of mucus, such as drinking fluids, using a humidifier, or taking an expectorant.