Which of the following is a short-acting beta agonist (SABA) commonly used to relieve acute bronchospasm in asthma?

Choice A reason: Avoiding touching the eyes after applying topical acyclovir prevents autoinoculation of herpes simplex virus to the ocular region, which can cause herpes keratitis, a serious infection. The virus can transfer via contaminated hands, necessitating strict hygiene to protect sensitive areas like the eyes.

Choice B reason: Using a clean glove when applying topical acyclovir minimizes the risk of spreading herpes simplex virus to other skin areas or to others. Gloves prevent direct contact with lesions, reducing viral transmission and contamination, ensuring safe application while maintaining the drug’s antiviral efficacy.

Choice C reason: Thorough hand washing before and after applying topical acyclovir prevents viral spread to other body parts or individuals. Herpes simplex virus is highly contagious, and proper hygiene reduces transmission risk. This practice also minimizes contamination of the ointment, ensuring effective treatment of genital herpes.

Choice D reason: Applying acyclovir until the lesion stops hurting is incorrect, as treatment duration is typically fixed (e.g., 7-10 days) to ensure viral suppression. Pain reduction does not indicate complete viral clearance, and premature cessation may lead to incomplete treatment and recurrence of herpes lesions.

Choice E reason: Sharing topical acyclovir with a partner is inappropriate, as medications require individual prescriptions. Partners with lesions need medical evaluation to confirm herpes and receive appropriate dosing. Sharing risks improper use, inadequate treatment, or adverse reactions, making this instruction unsafe and incorrect.

Choice A reason: Monitoring alone is insufficient with elevated ALT and AST, indicating liver dysfunction. Metronidazole is metabolized by the liver, and hepatotoxicity is a known risk. Administering it to a patient with pre-existing liver damage could worsen hepatic injury, making this action inadequate.

Choice B reason: Elevated ALT and AST suggest liver dysfunction, and metronidazole, metabolized hepatically, can exacerbate hepatotoxicity. Avoiding administration prevents further liver damage, as the drug’s nitroimidazole structure undergoes hepatic reduction, producing toxic metabolites that stress an already compromised liver, necessitating alternative therapy.

Choice C reason: Reducing the metronidazole dose is not recommended without medical consultation. Elevated liver enzymes indicate impaired hepatic function, and even reduced doses may worsen hepatotoxicity. Alternative antibiotics with less hepatic metabolism should be considered, making dose reduction an unsafe choice.

Choice D reason: Administering metronidazole as prescribed is dangerous with elevated ALT and AST, signaling liver dysfunction. Metronidazole’s hepatic metabolism can exacerbate liver injury, increasing the risk of severe hepatotoxicity. The nurse should withhold the drug and consult the prescriber for safer alternatives.