The client receives medication from a small-volume nebulizer. Which client assessment is the nurse's priority during medication administration?

Question

1. Nonperfusing ventricular arrhythmia
2. Wheezes throughout both lung fields
3. Frequent cough with many secretions
4. Inability to self-administer medication

Answer 1

1
1. The nonperfusing ventricular arrhythmia is the nurse's priority because it means the client has significant hypotension when the arrhythmia occurs potentially leading to transient loss of consciousness, oxygenation of tissues, and acidosis from carbon dioxide accumulation. This is a life-threatening problem the nurse needs to address. The nurse should interrupt the nebulizer treatment, assess and stabilize the client, in-struct the client to remain in bed, and collaborate with the provider to restore normal sinus rhythm.
2. Wheezing during a nebulizer treatment is probably quite common because wheez-ing is an indication for the therapy; however, the nurse should auscultate decreased or absent wheezes at the completion of the treatment.
3. Coughing and expectorating during nebulizer therapy is desirable because the therapy is designed to mobilize secretions and facilitate expectoration.
4. The nurse plans to discharge the client with the skill to self-administer medication.