A nurse is reinforcing teaching to a school-age child who has asthma. Which of the following medications should the nurse instruct the child to use to abort an ongoing attack?

A. Decreased cardiac output: Inotropic medications are intended to improve cardiac function and increase cardiac output, so monitoring for signs of decreased cardiac output would be contrary to the expected therapeutic effect of these medications.

B. Increased afterload: Inotropic medications primarily affect the contractility of the heart muscle and do not typically have a direct effect on afterload (the force against which the heart must pump blood). While changes in afterload can occur as a secondary consequence of altered cardiac function, monitoring for signs of increased afterload would not be the primary focus after administering an inotropic medication.

C. Increased cardiac output.
Inotropic medications are drugs that affect the contractility of the heart muscle. They are often used in the management of shock to improve cardiac function and increase cardiac output. Therefore, after administering an inotropic medication, the nurse would monitor the patient for signs of increased cardiac output, such as improved peripheral perfusion, increased blood pressure, and resolution of signs and symptoms of shock.

D. Slowing of the heart rate: Inotropic medications can affect heart rate indirectly by altering cardiac output, but their primary effect is on contractility rather than heart rate. Monitoring for signs of bradycardia (slowing of the heart rate) may be appropriate in certain clinical situations, but it is not the primary consideration after administering an inotropic medication for shock.

A) Increase dosing with a large meal:
Increasing the dosing with a large meal may not be appropriate as it could lead to overdosing and potential side effects. The dosage of pancrelipase should be determined by the healthcare provider based on the individual's needs and response to treatment.

B) Take the medication at least 2 hours prior to meals:
Taking the medication prior to meals may not be effective as the enzymes will not be available when food is consumed, which defeats the purpose of enzyme replacement therapy. The enzymes need to be present simultaneously with the food to aid in digestion.

C) Take the medication with meals.
Pancrelipase, such as Cotazym, is a pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy used to aid in the digestion of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates in individuals with pancreatic insufficiency. Taking the medication with meals is crucial because it helps to ensure that the enzymes are available to aid in the digestion of food. Without proper enzyme supplementation during meals, individuals with pancreatic insufficiency may experience malabsorption, leading to nutritional deficiencies and gastrointestinal symptoms.

D) Decrease fluid intake:
Decreasing fluid intake is not appropriate as it could lead to dehydration and may not have any significant impact on the efficacy of pancrelipase. In fact, adequate fluid intake is important for digestion and overall health.