The nurse is caring for a patient diagnosed with asthma on a medical surgical unit. The nurse is concerned when the patient makes the following statement after completing their Albuterol nebulizer treatment:
"I am not ready to eat lunch yet."
"It feels like my heart is racing."
"It is easier to breathe now."
"I can breathe better now."
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason: "I am not ready to eat lunch yet." is not a concerning statement for the patient who has completed their Albuterol nebulizer treatment. Albuterol is a medication that relaxes the muscles in the airways and increases the airflow to the lungs, which can improve the breathing and reduce the wheezing in patients with asthma¹. Albuterol does not affect the appetite or the digestion directly, but it may cause some side effects such as nausea, vomiting, or dry mouth, which may reduce the desire to eat. The nurse should respect the patient's preference and offer them food later when they are ready.
Choice B reason: "It feels like my heart is racing." is a concerning statement for the patient who has completed their Albuterol nebulizer treatment. Albuterol is a medication that relaxes the muscles in the airways and increases the airflow to the lungs, but it also stimulates the beta receptors in the heart, which can increase the heart rate and the blood pressure¹. This can cause side effects such as palpitations, chest pain, or arrhythmias, especially in patients with underlying heart conditions or those who take other medications that affect the heart. The nurse should monitor the patient's vital signs, report the finding to the prescriber, and prepare to administer interventions such as betablockers or calcium channel blockers to lower the heart rate and prevent complications.
Choice C reason: "It is easier to breathe now." is not a concerning statement for the patient who has completed their Albuterol nebulizer treatment. Albuterol is a medication that relaxes the muscles in the airways and increases the airflow to the lungs, which can improve the breathing and reduce the wheezing in patients with asthma¹. This is the expected and desired outcome of the Albuterol nebulizer treatment, which indicates that the medication is effective and the patient is responding well. The nurse should document the patient's response and continue to assess the patient's respiratory status and oxygen saturation.
Choice D reason: "I can breathe better now." is not a concerning statement for the patient who has completed their Albuterol nebulizer treatment. Albuterol is a medication that relaxes the muscles in the airways and increases the airflow to the lungs, which can improve the breathing and reduce the wheezing in patients with asthma¹. This is the expected and desired outcome of the Albuterol nebulizer treatment, which indicates that the medication is effective and the patient is responding well. The nurse should document the patient's response and continue to assess the patient's respiratory status and oxygen saturation.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are not the correct class of medications to which escitalopram (Lexapro) belongs. MAOIs are a group of antidepressants that work by inhibiting the enzyme monoamine oxidase, which breaks down neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. MAOIs can increase the levels of these neurotransmitters in the brain and improve mood and energy. However, MAOIs can also cause serious side effects and interactions with other drugs and foods, and they are not commonly used as firstline treatment for depression. Escitalopram is not an MAOI, and it should not be taken with MAOIs or within 14 days of stopping or starting MAOIs, as this can cause a dangerous drug interaction called serotonin syndrome.
Choice B reason: Betablockers are not the correct class of medications to which escitalopram (Lexapro) belongs. Betablockers are a group of drugs that work by blocking the beta receptors on the heart and blood vessels, which are stimulated by adrenaline and noradrenaline. Betablockers can lower the heart rate, blood pressure, and cardiac output, and they are used to treat conditions such as hypertension, angina, arrhythmias, and heart failure. Betablockers can also reduce anxiety and tremors, but they are not antidepressants and they do not affect serotonin levels. Escitalopram is not a betablocker, and it does not have any significant effect on the cardiovascular system.
Choice C reason: Benzodiazepines are not the correct class of medications to which escitalopram (Lexapro) belongs. Benzodiazepines are a group of drugs that work by enhancing the activity of the neurotransmitter gammaaminobutyric acid (GABA), which has a calming and sedating effect on the brain. Benzodiazepines are used to treat anxiety, insomnia, seizures, and muscle spasms, and they can also cause relaxation, drowsiness, and amnesia. Benzodiazepines are not antidepressants and they do not affect serotonin levels. Escitalopram is not a benzodiazepine, and it does not have any significant effect on GABA receptors .
Choice D reason: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the correct class of medications to which escitalopram (Lexapro) belongs. SSRIs are a group of antidepressants that work by blocking the reuptake of serotonin by the nerve cells, which increases the availability of serotonin in the synaptic cleft. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, appetite, sleep, and cognition, and low levels of serotonin are associated with depression and anxiety. SSRIs can improve the symptoms of depression and anxiety by enhancing the serotonin signaling in the brain. Escitalopram is an SSRI, and it is used to treat major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: This is incorrect. Antibiotics are not a term for a drug model, but a class of drugs that are used to treat bacterial infections. Antibiotics can have different chemical structures, mechanisms of action, and modes of action. For example, penicillin is a prototype drug of the beta lactam antibiotics, which inhibit the synthesis of bacterial cell walls¹.
Choice B reason: This is incorrect. Pharmacologic drug is not a term for a drug model, but a general term for any substance that has a physiological effect on the body. Pharmacologic drugs can belong to different classes, such as analgesics, antihistamines, or antivirals. For example, aspirin is a prototype drug of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which reduce pain, inflammation, and fever.
Choice C reason: This is correct. Prototype drug is the term used for a well understood drug model with which other drugs in its representative class are compared. A prototype drug is an individual drug that has similar chemical structure, mechanism of action, and mode of action as other drugs in its class. A prototype drug is often the first developed or the most important drug in its class, and is used as a reference for comparison. For example, morphine is a prototype drug of the opioid analgesics, which relieve pain by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord.
Choice D reason: This is incorrect. Therapeutic drug is not a term for a drug model, but a term for any drug that is used to treat or prevent a disease or disorder. Therapeutic drugs can belong to different classes, such as antibiotics, antihypertensives, or antidepressants. For example, metformin is a prototype drug of the biguanide antidiabetic drugs, which lower blood glucose levels by reducing glucose production in the liver and increasing glucose uptake in the muscles.
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