A client asks why asthma medication is needed even though the client's last attack was several months ago. Which response by the nurse is appropriate?
A) "The medication needs to be taken or your lungs will be severely damaged and we will not be able to prevent an acute attack."
B) "The medication needs to be taken indefinitely according to your doctor, so you should discuss this with him."
C) "The medication is still needed to decrease inflammation in your airways and help prevent an attack."
D) "The medication needs to be taken for at least a year; then, if you have not had an acute attack, you can stop it."
Answer: C
Effective treatment of asthma includes long-term treatment to prevent attacks and decrease inflammation, as well as short-term treatment when an attack occurs. Long-term treatment of asthma continues indefinitely, not for just 1 year. Telling a client that lungs will be severely damaged is nontherapeutic; the inability to prevent an acute attack in this client is not true. The nurse is able to answer the client's question; it does not need to be referred to the physician.
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