The nurse is caring for an orthopedic surgical client with mild intermittent asthma. During the second postoperative day, the client has an asthma attack while eating lunch. The nurse expects the health care provider to give an order for:

Question

1. subcutaneous epinephrine.
2. a short-acting selective beta-agonist inhaler.
3. an oral corticosteroid.
4. theophylline.

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 1: Epinephrine is reserved for the emergency treatment of severe attacks that do not respond to other drugs.
Rationale 2: Short-acting selective beta-agonist therapy via the inhaled route is the most appropriate therapy for mild intermittent asthma, used on an as-needed rescue basis.
Rationale 3: Steroids are reserved for persistent asthma.
Rationale 4: Theophylline is considered when more effective drugs fail to bring symptomatic relief.
Global Rationale: SABAs or short-acting beta2-adrenergic agonists are the preferred drugs for relief of acute symptoms. Epinephrine is reserved for the emergency treatment of severe attacks that do not respond to other drugs. Steroids are reserved for persistent asthma. Theophylline is considered when more effective drugs fail to bring symptomatic relief.