The nurse is providing routine follow-up care for a young adult with asthma who has been on a 3-month course of maintenance therapy. Which activity would best help the nurse to determine if the patient's treatment plan was effective?
a. Obtain an ABG analysis.
b. Determine the patient's pulse oximeter reading.
c. Evaluate the patient's use of an incentive spirometer.
d. Examine daily tracking records of the peak expiratory flow rate.
ANS: D
Many patients with asthma monitor their peak expiratory flow rate at home. This is a measure of the amount of air the patient can blow into a peak flowmeter from fully inflated lungs and is measured in liters per minute. Daily tracking records will indicate respiratory status over time. C. An incentive spirometer encourages deep breathing; correct use will not help evaluate asthmatic control. B. Current pulse oximetry will only provide a measure of current oxygenation and will not indicate long-term efficacy of the treatment plan. A. ABGs may be helpful in severe cases but are invasive and not routine and will only give a current measurement.
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