AIRWAY & RESPIRATORY MEDICATIONS
This short-acting beta₂ agonist is commonly used as a rescue inhaler for acute bronchospasm.
What is Albuterol?
When using both a bronchodilator and a steroid inhaler, this medication should be taken first.
What is the bronchodilator?
This vaccine is routinely recommended for adolescent patients.
What is the Meningococcal vaccine?
These laboratory measurements help determine if a medication remains within the therapeutic range.
What are peak and trough levels?
A patient presents with wheezing and shortness of breath. This inhaler should be administered first.
What is Albuterol?
Daily Double #1
A patient asks why cromolyn must be taken every day even when feeling well.
Because it is used for prevention and maintenance, not for acute symptom relief.
The reason the bronchodilator is taken first is because it does this.
What is opens the airways for better steroid absorption?
This antibiotic is a fourth-generation cephalosporin commonly used for serious infections.
What is Cefepime?
A trough level is collected at this time.
What is immediately before the next dose?
A patient reports white patches in the mouth after inhaler use. The nurse suspects this adverse effect.
What is oral candidiasis (thrush)?
This inhaled medication combines a corticosteroid and a long-acting bronchodilator.
What is Fluticasone/Salmeterol?
This nursing instruction should be given after the use of an inhaled corticosteroid.
What is rinse the mouth?
Before administering cefepime, the nurse should carefully assess for this allergy.
What is a penicillin allergy?
A peak level is collected to evaluate this.
What is the highest concentration of the medication in the bloodstream?
A patient with liver disease is newly prescribed montelukast. The nurse's priority is to do this.
What is monitor liver function and use the medication cautiously?
This medication should be taken daily and is used to prevent asthma symptoms rather than treat acute attacks.
What is Cromolyn?
This type of inhaler is used to reduce airway inflammation and is not intended for immediate relief.
What is an inhaled corticosteroid?
Patients taking antibiotics should always do this, even if symptoms improve.
What is complete the full course of therapy?
Peak and trough monitoring is frequently used to prevent this complication.
What is toxicity?
A patient develops significant upper airway swelling and stridor. This medication may be administered.
What is Epinephrine (Epi)?
This medication is an anticholinergic bronchodilator used for long-term maintenance of COPD.
What is Tiotropium?
Failing to rinse after an inhaled corticosteroid may result in this complication.
What is oral candidiasis (thrush)?
If an antibiotic dose is missed, the patient should avoid doing this.
What is doubling the next dose?
Peak and trough levels help ensure medications are both effective and this.
What is safe?
Daily Double #2
The nurse observes a patient taking a steroid inhaler before albuterol. The nurse should provide this teaching.
What is use the bronchodilator first, then the inhaled corticosteroid?