The nurse is caring for a client with asthma. The client asks the nurse what structures make up the upper respiratory tract. Which response by the num the most appropriate?

A. Metered-dose inhaler (MDI): MDIs deliver a specific dose of medication in aerosol form. They consist of a pressurized canister containing medication and a mouthpiece or mask for inhalation. Patients must coordinate inhalation with actuation to ensure proper medication delivery to the lungs.

B. Nebulizer: Nebulizers convert liquid medication into a fine mist that can be inhaled directly into the lungs. They are commonly used for patients who have difficulty using MDIs or require higher doses of medication. Nebulizers are often used in acute care settings or at home for patients with chronic respiratory conditions.

C. Hypodermic syringe: Hypodermic syringes are used for administering injections subcutaneously, intramuscularly, or intravenously. They are not used for inhalation medication administration.

D. Feeding tube syringe: Feeding tube syringes are used for administering liquid medications or enteral feeds through feeding tubes directly into the gastrointestinal tract. They are not used for inhalation medication administration.

E. Dry powder inhaler (DPI): DPIs deliver medication in powdered form, which is activated by the patient's inhalation. Unlike MDIs, DPIs do not require coordination between actuation and inhalation. Instead, patients inhale forcefully to disperse the medication into their lungs.

A. Decreased cardiac output: Inotropic medications are intended to improve cardiac function and increase cardiac output, so monitoring for signs of decreased cardiac output would be contrary to the expected therapeutic effect of these medications.

B. Increased afterload: Inotropic medications primarily affect the contractility of the heart muscle and do not typically have a direct effect on afterload (the force against which the heart must pump blood). While changes in afterload can occur as a secondary consequence of altered cardiac function, monitoring for signs of increased afterload would not be the primary focus after administering an inotropic medication.

C. Increased cardiac output.
Inotropic medications are drugs that affect the contractility of the heart muscle. They are often used in the management of shock to improve cardiac function and increase cardiac output. Therefore, after administering an inotropic medication, the nurse would monitor the patient for signs of increased cardiac output, such as improved peripheral perfusion, increased blood pressure, and resolution of signs and symptoms of shock.

D. Slowing of the heart rate: Inotropic medications can affect heart rate indirectly by altering cardiac output, but their primary effect is on contractility rather than heart rate. Monitoring for signs of bradycardia (slowing of the heart rate) may be appropriate in certain clinical situations, but it is not the primary consideration after administering an inotropic medication for shock.