Question

Group 2- Asthma

A.N is a 28-year-old male who presents to the clinic with complaints of having episodes of dyspnea, coughing & chest feeling tight. A.N states it started after he got over his cold a few weeks ago.

1. As the R.N, explain what additional data you would obtain. (USLO 1, 2)

Here is the additional data that you obtained.

V.S- 125/78, 78, 22, 98.4, O2 sat 93%. No apparent respiratory distress currently. Bilateral wheezes heard in lower lobes. Symptoms do seem to occur while he is exercising and sometimes cause him to stop exercising. A.N has a history of allergies but has not been treated for allergies in years. Does have a positive family history of asthma (maternal grandmother). Pulmonary function tests reveal a diagnosis of asthma. The provider prescribes montelukast (leukotriene modifier), five days of prednisone, and an albuterol inhaler as his rescue inhaler.

2. Explain the rationale for the medications that were prescribed. (USLO 3)
3. Explain the purpose of peak flow meter and what role it plays in self-management of asthma. What education do you provide to A.N regarding his peak flow meter value? What does he do if his peak flow value falls into the red zone? (USLO 1, 6)
4. N asks two questions- Do I take the montelukast even when I don’t have any symptoms? How will I know when I need to take my albuterol inhaler? How would you respond? (ULSO 2, 3, 5)
5. Describe status asthmaticus. What symptoms would you expect the patient to experience? What assessment finding would indicate an emergency? (USLO 1, 2, 6)

Answer 1

Answer: The patient has been prescribed medicines:

• Montelukast: The patient is having difficulty in breathing because of the asthma and hence this drug prevents the shortness of breath as well as as wheezing.
• Prednisone : In the case of asthma, inflammation occurs. This drug is prescribed to reduce the inflammation by suppressing the immune system.
• albuterol inhaler: This is prescribed to open up the passage so that the patient can breath properly. It opens the the airways in the lungs.