I'm doing a bunch of NCLEX practice questions, and the rationale on the answer for this one had me very puzzled. Or, maybe I'm just an idiot who shouldn't be in the ER.
The client admits to the ER with what appears to be an acute asthma attack. Which medication should the nurse administer first?
I am a respiratory therapist and a nurse. I had issues with this question because Venturi masks are not widely used in practice and not readily available. If the choice was O2 via nasal cannula, that would be number 1 choice because the pt was in respiratory distress with an "appeared" asthma attack. Obviously the rescue drug albuterol would be administered. I did go with O2 with Venturi thinking mode Nclex Regionsl Hospital then rescue drug while assessing. Two things were off-putting; a Venturi and the word appears.
The key to this question are the words "appears to be." In the question this implies that at this point, you as the nurse are not certain that it is in fact an asthma attack. Therefore oxygen is the best and safest choice.
This. Of my limited studying for the NCLEX, I've learned that the questions can be worded in a very tricky manner where one word or word ending will change the answer. Those key words as Nico has pointed out lead to the most correct answer. That having been said, my first thought was also C (Albuterol) and I would have gotten it wrong.
Albuteril should be given in an acute asthma attack to dilate the bronchiols via nebulizer with 100 pepercent O2 piped in. The steriod should never be given to relieve an acute attack...that is used for everyday use. O2 is not a good answer cause the airway is closed down and you need to open it first.
the key to this questions is in the questions..."what appears to be an asthma attack. It appears, by appearance it is safe to give O2, but not safe to give drug without assessing. If the questions was past that point and read...the patient is having an asthma attack, then the correct answer is Albuterol. Rationale: you administer Albuterol first to open airways, then a steroid second to administer into those open airways.
okscrapper
40 Posts
I am a respiratory therapist and a nurse. I had issues with this question because Venturi masks are not widely used in practice and not readily available. If the choice was O2 via nasal cannula, that would be number 1 choice because the pt was in respiratory distress with an "appeared" asthma attack. Obviously the rescue drug albuterol would be administered. I did go with O2 with Venturi thinking mode Nclex Regionsl Hospital then rescue drug while assessing. Two things were off-putting; a Venturi and the word appears.