A patient will be starting therapy with a corticosteroid. The nurse reviews the prescriber's orders and notes that an interaction may occur if the corticosteroid is taken with which of these drug classes?

Choice A reason: The client waits 10 min between inhalations is not the correct answer. This is not a recommended practice for using an albuterol inhaler. The client should wait at least 1 min between inhalations to allow the medication to reach the lungs and avoid overdose.

Choice B reason: The client takes a quick inhalation while releasing the medication from the inhaler is the correct answer. This is the correct way to use an albuterol inhaler. The client should breathe in quickly and deeply while pressing down on the inhaler to release the medication. This ensures that the medication is delivered to the airways and not the mouth or throat.

Choice C reason: The client exhales as the medication is released from the inhaler is not the correct answer. This is not a recommended practice for using an albuterol inhaler. The client should exhale before using the inhaler, not during or after. Exhaling while using the inhaler can cause the medication to be wasted or to irritate the mouth or throat.

Choice D reason: The client holds his breath for 10 seconds after inhaling the medication is not the correct answer. This is not a recommended practice for using an albuterol inhaler. The client should hold his breath for only a few seconds after inhaling the medication, not 10 seconds. Holding the breath for too long can cause dizziness, headache, or chest discomfort.

Choice A reason: This is correct because hemoglobin A1C level reflects the average blood glucose level over the past 2 to 3 months. It is a reliable indicator of the patient's glycemic control and adherence to the antidiabetic therapy. The goal for most patients with type 2 diabetes is to keep the hemoglobin A1C level below 7%.

Choice B reason: This is incorrect because serum insulin level is not a good measure of the patient's adherence to the antidiabetic therapy, as it may vary depending on the type, dose, and timing of the insulin or oral antidiabetic agents. Serum insulin level may also be affected by other factors, such as stress, infection, or exercise.

Choice C reason: This is incorrect because fingerstick fasting blood glucose level only reflects the blood glucose level at a single point in time. It does not provide information about the patient's long-term glycemic control or adherence to the antidiabetic therapy. Fingerstick fasting blood glucose level may also be influenced by the patient's diet, activity, or medication intake before the test.

Choice D reason: This is incorrect because hemoglobin level is not related to the patient's adherence to the antidiabetic therapy, as it measures the amount of oxygen-carrying protein in the red blood cells. Hemoglobin level may be affected by conditions such as anemia, dehydration, or blood loss.