A patient with asthma is admitted with severe dyspnea and is unable to speak. The nurse finds that the patient looks drowsy and confused. Which other finding would the nurse expect?
Peak flow of more than 40%
Bradycardia
Loud and prominent wheezing
Arterial blood gas is deteriorating
The Correct Answer is D
A. A peak flow of more than 40% would indicate that the patient's asthma is not in an acute exacerbation. This patient's symptoms, such as confusion and inability to speak, suggest a severe asthma attack, and the peak flow would likely be much lower.
B. Bradycardia is not typically associated with severe asthma exacerbations. Tachycardia is more commonly observed as the body attempts to compensate for hypoxia.
C. Loud and prominent wheezing is usually seen in less severe cases of asthma. In this case, the inability to speak and confusion suggest severe respiratory distress, where wheezing might be diminished or absent due to poor air movement.
D. Deteriorating arterial blood gas (ABG) results, with low oxygen levels (hypoxemia) and elevated carbon dioxide levels (hypercapnia), would be expected in a patient with severe asthma exacerbation. These signs indicate respiratory failure and the need for urgent intervention.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. A peak flow of more than 40% would indicate that the patient's asthma is not in an acute exacerbation. This patient's symptoms, such as confusion and inability to speak, suggest a severe asthma attack, and the peak flow would likely be much lower.
B. Bradycardia is not typically associated with severe asthma exacerbations. Tachycardia is more commonly observed as the body attempts to compensate for hypoxia.
C. Loud and prominent wheezing is usually seen in less severe cases of asthma. In this case, the inability to speak and confusion suggest severe respiratory distress, where wheezing might be diminished or absent due to poor air movement.
D. Deteriorating arterial blood gas (ABG) results, with low oxygen levels (hypoxemia) and elevated carbon dioxide levels (hypercapnia), would be expected in a patient with severe asthma exacerbation. These signs indicate respiratory failure and the need for urgent intervention.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Formoterol is a long-acting beta agonist (LABA) used for maintenance therapy, not for aborting acute asthma attacks. LABAs help prevent asthma symptoms but are not effective for immediate relief during an acute attack.
B. Albuterol is a short-acting beta agonist (SABA), which is the medication of choice for relieving acute asthma symptoms. It acts quickly to relax the muscles of the airways and relieve bronchospasm.
C. Beclomethasone is an inhaled corticosteroid used for long-term asthma control, reducing inflammation, but it is not used to treat acute attacks.
D. Salmeterol is another LABA, similar to formoterol, and is not used for aborting acute asthma attacks but rather for long-term control.
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