A patient with a history of asthma is admitted to the emergency department with severe wheezing, shortness of breath, and retractions. After initial administration of albuterol via nebulizer, the patient's symptoms persist. What is the next best course of action for managing this patient's asthma exacerbation?
Initiate intravenous corticosteroids
Provide supplemental oxygen and reassess in 30 minutes.
Administer a second dose of albuterol immediately.
Administer an oral antihistamine to reduce airway inflammation.
The Correct Answer is A
A. Intravenous corticosteroids are the next appropriate step to reduce inflammation in the airways and improve symptoms of asthma exacerbation.
B. Providing supplemental oxygen and reassessing in 30 minutes might be necessary, but corticosteroids are the priority in this case to address the underlying inflammation.
C. A second dose of albuterol may be considered, but corticosteroids should be administered as soon as possible to treat the inflammation in the airways.
D. An oral antihistamine is not indicated for asthma exacerbations, as it does not target the underlying inflammation in the airways.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Having the client breathe into a paper bag would help with respiratory alkalosis, not metabolic alkalosis.
B. Placing the client on seizure precautions is appropriate, as severe metabolic alkalosis can cause neurologic complications such as seizures.
C. Encouraging slow breathing may not significantly impact metabolic alkalosis.
D. Sodium bicarbonate administration would worsen metabolic alkalosis, not treat it.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. MRI of the wrist can help rule out other conditions, but it is not the most specific test for diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome.
B. Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies are the gold standard for diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome. These tests measure the electrical activity of the muscles and the speed of nerve impulses to confirm nerve compression.
C. Ultrasound of the wrist may be helpful in visualizing the median nerve but is not as definitive as EMG and nerve conduction studies.
D. X-ray of the wrist would not be useful in diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome as it does not show soft tissue or nerve involvement.
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