A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who is going to take an expectorant to manage a cough. The nurse should explain that this type of medication treats coughs by which of the following mechanisms?
Stimulates secretions
Suppresses the urge to cough
Reduces inflammation
Dries mucous membranes
The Correct Answer is A
A. Stimulates secretions: Expectorants work by thinning and loosening mucus in the airways, making it easier to cough up and clear out. This mechanism helps to reduce cough by facilitating the removal of mucus.
B. Suppresses the urge to cough: Cough suppressants, or antitussives, work by suppressing the cough reflex, not by stimulating secretions. This choice describes a different type of medication used for dry, unproductive coughs.
C. Reduces inflammation: Anti-inflammatory medications reduce inflammation, but they do not specifically target mucus production or the cough reflex. Expectorants do not primarily work by reducing inflammation.
D. Dries mucous membranes: Drying mucous membranes would typically be the action of antihistamines or decongestants, which are not the primary mechanism of action for expectorants. Expectorants aim to keep mucus hydrated to facilitate its removal.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Take albuterol first. Albuterol is a short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) that acts quickly to dilate the airways. It should be taken first to open the airways, making it easier for the long-acting beta-agonist (LABA), salmeterol, to penetrate deeper into the lungs and provide prolonged bronchodilation.
B. The order of administration does not matter. This is incorrect because the sequence does matter. Taking albuterol first helps to maximize the effectiveness of the subsequent medication by improving airway openness.
C. They should not be taken together: This is incorrect. Albuterol and salmeterol can be used together as part of asthma management. They work through different mechanisms, and using them together can provide both quick relief and long-term control.
D. Take salmeterol first: Taking salmeterol first is not recommended because it is a long-acting bronchodilator that works slowly. The immediate relief provided by albuterol helps to open the airways first, making the use of salmeterol more effective.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. bronchi: The bronchi are air passages that conduct air into the lungs. They branch into smaller tubes (bronchioles) but are not involved in the actual gas exchange process.
B. nasal passages: The nasal passages filter, warm, and humidify incoming air. They are involved in air preparation but not in the exchange of gases.
C. alveoli: The alveoli are tiny sacs within the lungs where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged between the air and blood. This is the primary site for gas exchange in the respiratory system.
D. larynx: The larynx, or voice box, is involved in sound production and protecting the airway during swallowing. It is not involved in gas exchange.
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