A school-aged child is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever. In obtaining a health history from the child's parent, the recent occurrence of which illness is most significant?

Choice A reason: Recommending that the parent bring the child in for immediate evaluation is not the best response by the nurse. This may cause unnecessary anxiety and expense for the parent and the child. Albuterol is a bronchodilator that relaxes the muscles in the airways and increases air flow to the lungs. It is used to treat or prevent bronchospasm, or narrowing of the airways, in people with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is also used to prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm. It is a quick-relief medication that can be used as needed when the child has difficulty breathing.

Choice B reason: Advising the parent that over-use of the medication may cause chronic bronchitis is not the best response by the nurse. This is not true and may discourage the parent from giving the medication to the child when needed. Chronic bronchitis is a type of COPD that causes inflammation and mucus production in the airways. It is usually caused by smoking or exposure to air pollution, not by albuterol. Albuterol does not cause chronic bronchitis, but it can help relieve the symptoms of bronchospasm in people who have it.

Choice C reason: Confirming that the medication helps to reduce airway inflammation is not the best response by the nurse. This is not accurate and may confuse the parent. Albuterol does not reduce airway inflammation, but it relaxes the muscles around the airways so that they open up and the child can breathe more easily. Albuterol is not an anti-inflammatory medication, but a bronchodilator. Anti-inflammatory medications, such as corticosteroids, are used to prevent or reduce inflammation in the airways, but they are not quick-relief medications like albuterol.

Choice D reason: Assuring the parent that they are using the medication correctly is the best response by the nurse. This shows that the nurse understands the purpose and the proper use of albuterol and that the nurse supports the parent's decision to give the medication to the child when needed. The nurse should also educate the parent on how to use the inhaler device correctly, how to monitor the child's symptoms and peak flow, and when to seek medical attention if the child's condition worsens.

Choice A reason: Weight gain of 0.5 kg/day is not a sign of a therapeutic response. It may indicate fluid retention, which is a common complication of nephrotic syndrome. Fluid retention occurs when the kidneys lose protein in the urine, leading to low blood protein levels and reduced oncotic pressure. This causes fluid to leak from the blood vessels into the tissues, resulting in edema and weight gain. The nurse should monitor the child's weight, fluid intake and output, and edema status.

Choice B reason: Decreased urinary output is not a sign of a therapeutic response. It may indicate kidney damage, which is a possible consequence of nephrotic syndrome. Kidney damage occurs when the glomeruli, the filtering units of the kidneys, become inflamed and scarred due to the loss of protein in the urine. This reduces the kidney's ability to filter waste and excess fluid from the blood, resulting in oliguria or anuria. The nurse should measure the child's urine specific gravity, creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen levels.

Choice C reason: Decreased periorbital edema is a sign of a therapeutic response. It indicates that the salt-poor human albumin IV is working to restore the blood protein levels and oncotic pressure. This helps to draw fluid back from the tissues into the blood vessels, reducing the swelling around the eyes and other parts of the body. The nurse should assess the child's skin turgor, capillary refill, and blood pressure.

Choice D reason: Increased periods of rest is not a sign of a therapeutic response. It may indicate fatigue, which is a common symptom of nephrotic syndrome. Fatigue occurs when the body loses protein and energy in the urine, leading to malnutrition and anemia. This causes the child to feel weak, tired, and lethargic. The nurse should provide the child with a high-protein, low-sodium diet, iron supplements, and adequate rest.