Which medication should the nurse anticipate being used first in the emergency department for relief of severe respiratory distress related to asthma?

Gentamicin is an antibiotic that is usually administered via IV infusion. The peak level is the highest concentration of the medication in the bloodstream, and it is important to monitor it to ensure therapeutic levels are achieved without reaching toxic levels.

Drawing the peak level 30 minutes after the infusion is complete allows enough time for the medication to distribute throughout the body and reach its peak concentration. This timing provides an accurate representation of the highest drug concentration in the bloodstream. 30 minutes before starting the infusion: Drawing the peak level before starting the infusion would not accurately reflect the peak concentration of the medication in the bloodstream. Immediately before the next dose of Gentamicin: Drawing the peak level immediately before the next dose would not provide an accurate assessment of the highest drug concentration, as the levels would have started to decrease due to elimination.

1 hour after infusion is complete: Waiting for 1 hour after the infusion is complete may result in missing the actual peak concentration of the medication in the bloodstream, as it may have already started to decline.

Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure performed on the nose, and it often involves the placement of nasal packing to control bleeding, support the nasal structures, and promote healing. Nasal packing can cause mouth breathing and oral dryness, which can lead to increased swallowing as the patient tries to alleviate the discomfort.

While bleeding posterior to the nasal packing is a potential complication of rhinoplasty, it typically presents with other symptoms such as active bleeding, nasal discharge, or changes in vital signs. Without additional information or signs of active bleeding, it is less likely to be the cause of the patient's frequent swallowing in this scenario.

An adverse reaction to the analgesic is possible, but it would typically present with other symptoms such as allergic reactions (rash, swelling, difficulty breathing) or gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting). In the absence of these symptoms, an adverse reaction to the analgesic is less likely.

Lastly, a normal response to the analgesic and surgery would not typically manifest as frequent swallowing. While pain medication can cause side effects, such as drowsiness or nausea, increased swallowing is not a common response.