A school-age child with bronchial asthma has a prescription for albuterol. The child's parent tells the nurse that the medication is used when the child is having difficulty breathing. Which is the best response by the nurse?

Recommend that the parent bring the child in for immediate evaluation.

Advise the parent that over-use of the medication may cause chronic bronchitis.

Confirm that the medication helps to reduce airway inflammation.

Assure the parent that they are using the medication correctly.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

Choice A reason: Recommending that the parent bring the child in for immediate evaluation is not the best response by the nurse. This may cause unnecessary anxiety and expense for the parent and the child. Albuterol is a bronchodilator that relaxes the muscles in the airways and increases air flow to the lungs. It is used to treat or prevent bronchospasm, or narrowing of the airways, in people with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is also used to prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm. It is a quick-relief medication that can be used as needed when the child has difficulty breathing.

Choice B reason: Advising the parent that over-use of the medication may cause chronic bronchitis is not the best response by the nurse. This is not true and may discourage the parent from giving the medication to the child when needed. Chronic bronchitis is a type of COPD that causes inflammation and mucus production in the airways. It is usually caused by smoking or exposure to air pollution, not by albuterol. Albuterol does not cause chronic bronchitis, but it can help relieve the symptoms of bronchospasm in people who have it.

Choice C reason: Confirming that the medication helps to reduce airway inflammation is not the best response by the nurse. This is not accurate and may confuse the parent. Albuterol does not reduce airway inflammation, but it relaxes the muscles around the airways so that they open up and the child can breathe more easily. Albuterol is not an anti-inflammatory medication, but a bronchodilator. Anti-inflammatory medications, such as corticosteroids, are used to prevent or reduce inflammation in the airways, but they are not quick-relief medications like albuterol.

Choice D reason: Assuring the parent that they are using the medication correctly is the best response by the nurse. This shows that the nurse understands the purpose and the proper use of albuterol and that the nurse supports the parent's decision to give the medication to the child when needed. The nurse should also educate the parent on how to use the inhaler device correctly, how to monitor the child's symptoms and peak flow, and when to seek medical attention if the child's condition worsens.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: Flaring of the nares is a sign of acute respiratory distress in children. It indicates that the child is using the accessory muscles of the nose to breathe, which is a sign of increased work of breathing. Flaring of the nares may be accompanied by other signs of respiratory distress, such as retractions, grunting, or cyanosis. The nurse should report this finding to the health care provider and monitor the child's oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, and level of consciousness.

Choice B reason: Diaphragmatic respirations are not a specific sign of acute respiratory distress in children. They are a normal pattern of breathing in infants and young children, who use their diaphragm more than their chest muscles to breathe. Diaphragmatic respirations may become more pronounced when the child is crying, feeding, or sleeping, but they are not indicative of respiratory distress.

Choice C reason: A resting respiratory rate of 35 breaths/min is not a sign of acute respiratory distress in children. It is within the normal range for a 1-year-old child, who typically has a respiratory rate of 20 to 40 breaths/min. A resting respiratory rate of more than 60 breaths/min may be a sign of respiratory distress in children, especially if it is associated with other symptoms, such as wheezing, coughing, or nasal flaring.

Choice D reason: Bilateral bronchial breath sounds are not a sign of acute respiratory distress in children. They are normal breath sounds that are heard over the trachea and the large bronchi. They are loud and high-pitched, and have a longer expiratory phase than inspiratory phase. Bilateral bronchial breath sounds do not indicate any lung pathology or obstruction.

A. Encourage the parents to rest when possible. B. Make a list of foods that the child likes. C. Place the child in a quiet environment. D. Apply lotion to hands and feet.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason: Encouraging the parents to rest when possible is not the first intervention that the nurse should instruct the mother to implement. While it is important for the parents to take care of themselves, the priority is to address the child's needs and comfort.

Choice B reason: Making a list of foods that the child likes is not the first intervention that the nurse should instruct the mother to implement. While it is important to maintain the child's nutrition and hydration, the child may not have an appetite due to the fever and inflammation caused by Kawasaki disease.

Choice C reason: Placing the child in a quiet environment is the first intervention that the nurse should instruct the mother to implement. This is because Kawasaki disease causes irritability and sensitivity to light and sound in the child. A quiet environment can help reduce the child's stress and discomfort.

Choice D reason: Applying lotion to hands and feet is not the first intervention that the nurse should instruct the mother to implement. While it is important to moisturize the skin and prevent cracking and infection, the lotion may not relieve the child's pain and inflammation.

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A school-age child with bronchial asthma has a prescription for albuterol. The child's parent tells the nurse that the medication is used when the child is having difficulty breathing. Which is the best response by the nurse?

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