The client, who has been diagnosed with asthma, has been prescribed an inhaled glucocorticoid medication. Which information should the nurse teach about this medication?
Hold the medication in the mouth for 15 seconds before swallowing
Take the medication immediately when an attack starts
Do not abruptly stop taking this medication: it must be tapered off
Immediately rinse the mouth following the administration of the drug
The Correct Answer is D
A. Hold the medication in the mouth for 15 seconds before swallowing — This is incorrect. Inhaled glucocorticoids are meant to be inhaled into the lungs, not held in the mouth or swallowed.
B. Take the medication immediately when an attack starts — Inhaled glucocorticoids are not rescue medications. They are used for long-term control and prevention, not for acute asthma attacks.
C. Do not abruptly stop taking this medication: it must be tapered off — This applies to systemic (oral or IV) corticosteroids, not inhaled forms. Inhaled glucocorticoids have minimal systemic effects and do not require tapering.
D. Immediately rinse the mouth following the administration of the drug — This is correct. Rinsing the mouth helps prevent oral candidiasis (thrush), a common side effect of inhaled corticosteroids.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Dark-colored stools are a common and expected side effect of iron supplementation and are harmless — this is important to include in client education.
B. Vitamin C, not vitamin E, enhances the absorption of iron.
C. Iron supplements can cause constipation, not diarrhea, so fiber intake should not be limited — it should often be increased.
D. Dairy products contain calcium, which inhibits iron absorption and should be avoided when taking iron supplements.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. While education on fluid restriction and daily weights is important for long-term management, it does not address the acute respiratory distress the patient is experiencing.
B. Synchronized cardioversion may be considered later for atrial fibrillation, but the immediate concern is respiratory compromise due to fluid overload, not arrhythmia alone.
C. Administering IV furosemide (a loop diuretic) is the priority intervention. The patient is showing signs of acute decompensated heart failure with pulmonary congestion (bibasilar crackles, dyspnea, oxygen saturation of 89%, weight gain). IV diuretics reduce preload and help relieve fluid overload, improving breathing and oxygenation.
D. Notifying the physician is appropriate, but not the first action. The nurse should act on existing orders (e.g., IV diuretics) to stabilize the patient’s condition before escalating.
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