Practice Question
A nurse is caring for a child with asthma who is prescribed to use an albuterol inhaler with a spacer. The parents ask how albuterol helps the child's breathing. Which of the following responses will the nurse include? Select all that apply.
Answer Choices:
Correct Answer:
The medication is a bronchodilator, which opens airways.
Rationale:
✅ A. The medication is a bronchodilator, which opens airways
🌬️ Albuterol is a short-acting beta-2 adrenergic agonist (SABA) that stimulates beta-2 receptors in the bronchial smooth muscle. This stimulation leads to bronchodilation, or the widening of the airways, which allows air to flow more freely into and out of the lungs.
🌬️ In asthma, the airways are narrowed due to inflammation and muscle constriction. Albuterol directly relieves the bronchospasm, which is one of the primary causes of acute symptoms.
🌬️ Onset of action is rapid, usually within 5–10 minutes, making it ideal for acute relief during asthma exacerbations.
🌬️ This mechanism is essential for treating wheezing, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing during flare-ups.
🌬️ Educating caregivers on how bronchodilators function helps them recognize the importance of using this medication during early symptom onset.
✅ C. The medication will reduce wheezing
🌬️ Wheezing is caused by narrowed or obstructed airways, leading to high-pitched sounds during breathing.
🌬️ By dilating the bronchial passages, albuterol restores airway patency, decreasing airway resistance and reducing turbulent airflow—the primary cause of wheezing.
🌬️ Once the airway is more open, the airflow becomes smoother and more efficient, leading to the gradual resolution of wheezing.
🌬️ The reduction in wheezing also serves as a measurable indicator of treatment effectiveness, helping both caregivers and nurses assess symptom improvement.
🌬️ Proper use of a spacer ensures optimal delivery of the medication to the lower airways, maximizing the bronchodilatory effect.
✅ D. The medication will decrease coughing and shortness of breath
🌬️ Asthma often causes coughing due to airway irritation and constriction, especially at night or during exercise. Albuterol opens the airways, reducing the mechanical stimulation that triggers cough reflexes.
🌬️ As airflow improves and gas exchange becomes more efficient, the sensation of shortness of breath diminishes, allowing the child to breathe more comfortably.
🌬️ The decreased respiratory distress can lead to improved activity tolerance and sleep, which are important quality-of-life factors for children with asthma.
🌬️ This symptom relief also prevents panic or anxiety, which can further exacerbate shortness of breath during asthma attacks.
🌬️ Proper instruction on administration technique enhances symptom management and overall asthma control.
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This question is from RN ATI Pediatrics Nurs 243 Exam(Spring 2024) which contains 39 questions.
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Question Details
- Category: RN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: ATI Exam(s)
- Domain: RN ATI Pediatrics
- Answer Choices: 5