Pt has respiratory acidosis (low blood pH) due to his asthma exacerbation. What will the nurse expect to see?

Choice A reason: Albuterol is not used to treat acute allergies. It is a bronchodilator that relaxes the smooth muscles of the airways and improves airflow. Antihistamines are the drugs of choice for acute allergies.

Choice B reason: Albuterol is not used to treat nasal congestion. It is a bronchodilator that acts on the lungs, not the nose. Decongestants are the drugs of choice for nasal congestion.

Choice C reason: Albuterol is not used to treat dyspnea on exertion. It is a bronchodilator that is used for acute or chronic respiratory conditions, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Dyspnea on exertion is a symptom of various cardiac or pulmonary disorders that require further evaluation and treatment.

Choice D reason: Albuterol is used to treat acute bronchospasm. It is a bronchodilator that quickly relieves the symptoms of bronchoconstriction, such as wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. It is often prescribed as a rescue inhaler for patients with asthma or COPD.

Choice A reason: This is not the preferred agent for the initial treatment of heart failure. Vasodilators are a class of medications that lower the blood pressure by relaxing the blood vessels and reducing the resistance to blood flow. They can be used to treat hypertension, angina, and heart failure, but they are usually added to other medications, such as diuretics or beta blockers, to improve the symptoms and outcomes.

Choice B reason: This is the preferred agent for the initial treatment of heart failure. Diuretics are a class of medications that increase the urine output and reduce the fluid retention in the body. They can be used to treat hypertension, edema, and heart failure, as they reduce the preload and afterload on the heart, and decrease the pulmonary congestion and peripheral edema.

Choice C reason: This is not the preferred agent for the initial treatment of heart failure. Calcium channel blockers are a class of medications that lower the blood pressure and heart rate by blocking the calcium channels in the heart and blood vessels, which cause vasodilation and reduced cardiac contractility. They can be used to treat hypertension, angina, and arrhythmias, but they are not recommended for most patients with heart failure, as they may worsen the cardiac function and increase the mortality.

Choice D reason: This is not the preferred agent for the initial treatment of heart failure. Direct renin inhibitors are a class of medications that lower the blood pressure by inhibiting the enzyme renin, which initiates the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, a hormonal pathway that regulates the blood pressure and fluid balance. They can be used to treat hypertension, but they have not been proven to be effective or safe for patients with heart failure.