Which drug has a quick onset of action and is recommended for use during an acute asthma attack or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation?
Fluticasone propionate
Salmeterol
Albuterol
Zafirlukast
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason: Fluticasone propionate, an inhaled corticosteroid, reduces airway inflammation over days, not suitable for acute asthma or COPD exacerbations. Its slow onset targets chronic control, not immediate bronchodilation, making it ineffective for rapid relief of acute bronchospasm or worsening respiratory symptoms.
Choice B reason: Salmeterol, a long-acting beta-2 agonist, provides sustained bronchodilation (12 hours) for maintenance therapy. Its slow onset (20-30 minutes) makes it unsuitable for acute asthma or COPD exacerbations, where rapid-acting agents like albuterol are needed for immediate airway relaxation.
Choice C reason: Albuterol, a short-acting beta-2 agonist, has a rapid onset (within minutes) by stimulating beta-2 receptors, increasing cyclic AMP, and relaxing airway smooth muscle. This makes it the first-line choice for acute asthma attacks or COPD exacerbations, providing quick relief of bronchospasm and dyspnea.
Choice D reason: Zafirlukast, a leukotriene receptor antagonist, prevents inflammation and bronchoconstriction for asthma maintenance. Its oral administration and slow onset (hours) make it ineffective for acute asthma or COPD exacerbations, which require rapid bronchodilation from inhalers like albuterol, not leukotriene modifiers.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Orange-tinged urine is an expected effect of rifampin, not a therapeutic response. It results from the drug’s red-orange metabolite excreted in urine, not an indicator of tuberculosis resolution. Clinical improvement, like reduced symptoms and negative cultures, better reflects the effectiveness of antitubercular therapy.
Choice B reason: A therapeutic response to antitubercular therapy is indicated by decreased symptoms (e.g., cough, fever), improved chest radiographs (reduced infiltrates), and negative sputum cultures, showing reduced Mycobacterium tuberculosis burden. These objective measures confirm the drugs, like isoniazid and rifampin, are effectively killing the bacteria and resolving the infection.
Choice C reason: Increased tolerance to antitubercular therapy or fewer adverse effects does not indicate a therapeutic response. Tolerance reflects patient adaptation to side effects, not bacterial clearance. Objective measures like symptom reduction and negative cultures are needed to confirm the therapy’s effectiveness against tuberculosis.
Choice D reason: Negative PPD results are not used to monitor active tuberculosis treatment. PPD tests detect latent tuberculosis or prior exposure, not active disease. Therapeutic response is assessed through symptom improvement, chest imaging, and sputum cultures, which directly indicate the reduction of active Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Moon face, a hallmark of long-term prednisone use, results from fat redistribution due to corticosteroid-induced metabolic changes. Prednisone promotes lipogenesis in facial and neck areas, causing a rounded, puffy appearance. This Cushingoid feature is a common, visible side effect of prolonged systemic corticosteroid therapy.
Choice B reason: Weight loss is not typical with long-term prednisone therapy. Prednisone increases appetite and promotes fat deposition, leading to weight gain, not loss. Catabolic effects on muscle may occur, but overall weight gain, including fluid retention, is more characteristic, making this incorrect.
Choice C reason: Pale skin color is not a common effect of prednisone. Corticosteroids can cause skin thinning or bruising due to reduced collagen synthesis, but pallor is not typical. Hyperpigmentation may occur in some cases, but moon face is the primary appearance-related side effect of long-term use.
Choice D reason: Hair loss is not a primary side effect of prednisone. Corticosteroids may cause hirsutism or thinning skin, but hair loss is more associated with chemotherapy or other drugs. Prednisone’s metabolic effects lead to fat redistribution, like moon face, rather than alopecia, making this incorrect.
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