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B.T., a 22-year-old man who lives in a small mountain town in Colorado, is highly allergic to dust and pollen. B.T.’s wife drove him to the clinic when his wheezing was unresponsive to fluticasone/salmeterol (Advair) and ipratropium bromide (Atrovent) inhalers, he was unable to lie down, and he began to use accessory muscles to breathe. B.T. is started on 4 L oxygen by nasal cannula and an IV of D5W at 15 mL/hr. He appears anxious and says that he is short of breath. 

Chart View 

Vital Signs 

Blood pressure 152/84 mm Hg 

Pulse rate 124 beats/min

Respiratory rate 42 breaths/min

Temperature 100.4° F (38.4°  C)

 

1. Are B.T.’s vital signs (VS) acceptable? State your rationale. 

2. What is the pathophysiology of asthma? 

3. How is asthma categorized? Describe the characteristics of each classification. 

Chart Review

Arterial Blood Gases 

pH 7.31

PaCO2 48 mm Hg 

HCO3 26 mmol/L 

PaO2 55 mm Hg 

SaO2 88%

 

4. Interpret B.T.’s arterial blood gas results. 

5. What is the rationale for immediately starting B.T. on O2? 

 

6. You will need to monitor B.T. closely for the next few hours. Identify four or more signs and

symptoms of impending respiratory failure that you will be assessing for.

 

Chart review 

Medication Orders

Albuterol 2.5  mg plus ipratropium 250 mcg nebulizer treatment STAT 

Albuterol (Ventolin) inhaler 2 puffs q4h

 Metaproterenol sulfate (Alupent) 0.4% nebulizer treatment q3h

 Fluticasone (Flovent) 250  mcg by MDI twice daily     

 

7. What is the rationale for the albuterol 2.5 mg plus ipratropium 250 mcg nebulizer treatment

STAT (immediately)? 

8. Identify the drug classification and expected outcomes B.T. should experience through using 

metaproterenol sulfate (Alupent) and Fluticasone (Flovent). 

9. B.T. stated he had taken his Advair that morning, then again when he started to feel short of 

breath. Is fluticasone/salmeterol (Advair) appropriate for use during an acute asthma attack? 

Explain. 

10. What are your responsibilities while administering aerosol therapy? 

11. When combination inhalation aerosols are prescribed without specific instructions for the 

sequence of administration, you need to be aware of the proper recommendations for drug 

administration. What is the correct sequence for administering B.T.’s treatments? 

12. List five independent nursing interventions that may help relieve B.T.’s symptoms.

 

 

After several hours of IV and PO rehydration and aerosol treatments, B.T.’s wheezing and chest tightness resolved, and he is able to expectorate his secretions. The physician discusses B.T.’s asthma management with him; B.T. says he has had several asthma attacks over the last few weeks. The physician discharges B.T. with a prescription for oral steroid “burst” (prednisone 40 mg/day × 5 days), fluticasone/salmeterol (Advair) 100/50 mcg two puffs twice daily, albuterol (Proventil) metered-dose inhaler (MDI) two puffs q6h as needed using a spacer, and montelukast (Singulair) 10 mg daily each evening. He recommends that B.T. call the pulmonary clinic for follow-up with a pulmonary specialist.

 

13. What is the rationale for B.T. being on the oral steroid “burst”? 

14. What issues will you address in discharge teaching with B.T.? (at least 5)

 

You ask B.T. to demonstrate the use of his MDI. He vigorously shakes the canister, holds the aerosolizer at an angle (pointing toward his cheek) in front of his mouth, and squeezes the canister as he takes a quick, deep breath.

 

15. What common mistakes has B.T. made when using the inhaler? (at least 6)

16. What would you teach B.T. about the use of his MDI? (at least 3)

17. B.T.’s wife asks about the possibility of B.T. having another attack. How would you respond?

18. B.T. states he would like to read more about asthma on the Internet. List three credible 

websites you could give him. 

SCIENCE
HEALTH SCIENCE
NURSING
NUR 2222

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