Exhibits

The nurse starts the albuterol nebulizer as prescribed.

Which should the nurse assess after the albuterol nebulizer treatment is complete? Select all that apply.

A.    Assessing temperature is important to monitor for any signs of infection or inflammation, which could exacerbate the asthma condition or indicate a concurrent illness.
B.    Evaluating breath sounds helps determine the effectiveness of the albuterol treatment in relieving bronchospasm. Clearer breath sounds suggest improved air entry and reduced wheezing.
C.    While CBC can provide valuable information, it is not typically immediately necessary after an albuterol treatment unless there are specific concerns about infection or other systemic issues.
D.    Monitoring the heart rate is crucial as albuterol can cause tachycardia (elevated heart rate) as a side effect. It's important to ensure that the heart rate does not become excessively elevated, which may indicate a need to adjust treatment or monitor more closely.
E.    Peak inspiratory flow is less commonly used in asthma management compared to peak expiratory flow. It's the maximum flow rate during inhalation and is not typically assessed routinely in the immediate post-treatment period.
F.    Assessing serum sodium is not directly related to monitoring asthma exacerbation or response to bronchodilator therapy.
G.    PEF measures the maximum speed at which a person can exhale air after a deep breath. It is a direct indicator of lung function and the severity of airway obstruction in asthma. Assessing PEF post-albuterol treatment helps gauge how well the airways have responded to the bronchodilator therapy.
H.    Checking oxygen saturation ensures that the patient's oxygen levels have improved following the administration of albuterol. The goal is to maintain oxygen saturation above 94%, as per the treatment plan.