Question

The nurse auscultates the lung sounds of a client with shortness of breath. Then, the nurse notifies the health care provider about the adventitious sounds heard. Which medication prescription should the nurse anticipate?

Answer 1

The nurse should anticipate medication prescriptions based on the underlying condition indicated by the adventitious lung sounds, which might include antibiotics for bacterial pneumonia, or bronchodilators and corticosteroids for asthma.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a nurse auscultates lung sounds and hears adventitious sounds, such as crackles or wheezes in a patient with shortness of breath, it could indicate an underlying condition such as pneumonia, asthma, or other pulmonary issues. The nurse should anticipate medication prescriptions that address the underlying condition, which might include bronchodilators, corticosteroids, antibiotics, or a combination of these, depending on the final diagnosis. For instance, antibiotics would be expected for bacterial pneumonia, while bronchodilators and corticosteroids might be prescribed for asthma attacks. The specific medication would depend on the patient's diagnosis, which would be determined by additional tests and examinations like chest radiographs, sputum samples, and possibly blood tests.