Asthma NCLEX Questions

Asthma NCLEX Questions 1. A patient with asthma is prescribed to take inhaled Salmeterol and Fluticasone for long￾term management of asthma. You observe the patient taking these medications. Which option below best describes the correct order in how to take these medications? A. The patient inhales the Salmeterol first and then waits 5 minutes before inhaling the Fluticasone. B. The patient inhales the Fluticasone first and then waits 5 minutes before inhaling the Salmeterol. C. The patient inhales the Salmeterol first and then waits 1 minute before inhaling the Fluticasone. D. The patient inhales the Fluticasone and immediately inhales the Salmeterol. The answer is A. The bronchodilator inhaler (Salmeterol) is administered first to open up the airways. Then the patient is to wait five minutes and then administer the corticosteroid (Fluticasone). The bronchodilator will open the airways so the corticosteroid can easily enter the airways to decrease inflammation. 2. You’re assisting your patient who has asthma to bed. The patient is experiencing a frequent cough and chest tightness. You auscultate the patient’s lung fields and note expiratory wheezes. The patient’s peak flow rate is 78% less than their best peak flow reading. Which medication will provide the patient with the fastest relief from these signs and symptoms of an asthma attack? A. Theophylline B. Tiotropium C. Albuterol D. Cromolyn The answer is C. During an asthma attack, the patient needs a medication that will quickly open the airways. Medications that are best for this include short-acting bronchodilators, such as Albuterol, short-acting beta agonists. Another type of short-acting bronchodilator is an anticholinergic bronchodilator called Ipratropium (this is given if a patient can’t tolerated short-acting beta agonists like Albuterol). Theophylline is a bronchodilator but given orally and is NOT for quick relief. Tiotropium is a bronchodilator, as well, but is a LONG-ACTING anticholinergic bronchodilator. Cromolyn is an inhaled nonsteroidal anti-allergy medication that doesn’t provide quick relief. 3. You assist your patient with using their inhaler. The inhaler contains the medication Budesonide. Before administering the inhaler, you will want to connect what device to the inhaler to help decrease the patient from developing ________? A. Peak flow meter; pneumonia B. Incentive spirometer; thrush C. Spacer; thrush D. Peak flow meter; mouth sores The answer is C. Budesonide is a corticosteroid. Inhaled corticosteroids can cause thrush. Therefore, it is important to connect a spacer to the inhaler before usage to help prevent the patient from developing thrush and for the patient to gargle and rinse the mouth with water. 4. A patient with asthma is receiving a nebulizer of Cromolyn. The patient reports a burning sensation in the nose along with a horrible taste in their mouth. As the nurse you will? A. Immediately stop the nebulizer B. Re-adjust the nebulizer C. Call a rapid response because the patient is having a potential anaphylactic reaction to the medication. D. Reassure the patient this is a temporary side effect of this medication. The answer is D. Cromolyn can temporarily cause the following side effects during administration: sneezing, burning in nose, itchy/watery eyes, bad taste in mouth. Reassure the patient that these are temporary side effects of this medication. 5. Your patient’s asthma is poorly controlled. The patient reports using their rescue inhaler 4 times a week. In addition, the patient’s asthma is not responding to other treatments. The physician orders the patient to take a medication that works by blocking the role of the immunoglobulin IgE. This describes which medication below?