A nurse is collecting data from a client who received levalbuterol 30 min ago.
Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as a therapeutic effect of the medication?

Choice A rationale:

Levalbuterol is a short-acting beta agonist, which is commonly used for quick relief in an acute asthma attack.

Choice B rationale:

Cromolyn is used as a preventive treatment for asthma, not for treating an acute attack.

Choice C rationale:

Budesonide is a corticosteroid used for long-term control and prevention of symptoms, not for immediate relief during an acute asthma attack.

Choice D rationale:

Ipratropium is used as a bronchodilator for asthma, but it’s typically not the first choice for treating an acute asthma attack.

Choice A rationale:

Levalbuterol is a bronchodilator that relaxes muscles in the airways and increases air flow to the lungs. Therefore, a decrease in wheezing is a therapeutic effect of the medication, making this the correct choice.

Choice B rationale:

While levalbuterol can cause an increase in respiratory rate as a side effect, it is not considered a therapeutic effect of the medication. The primary goal of levalbuterol is to improve breathing by relaxing the muscles of the airways, not to increase respiratory rate.

Choice C rationale:

Levalbuterol does not directly affect nausea. It is primarily used to treat conditions related to breathing such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Choice D rationale:

An increased heart rate is a potential side effect of levalbuterol, not a therapeutic effect.