Final answer:
The most appropriate nursing diagnosis for an older adult with asthma and a high respiratory rate with audible wheezes is Ineffective Airway Clearance due to bronchospasm and mucus production. Spirometry may be used to assess lung function, and nebulizer treatments may be administered for relief.
Step-by-step explanation:
An older adult patient diagnosed with asthma with a respiratory rate of 28 at rest and audible wheezes upon inspiration is likely experiencing exacerbated asthma symptoms, which may indicate an asthma attack. Therefore, the most appropriate nursing diagnosis would be Ineffective Airway Clearance related to bronchospasm and increased mucus production. This nursing diagnosis focuses on the patient's inability to clear secretions or obstructions from the respiratory tract to maintain a clear airway. Spirometry is a diagnostic tool frequently used to assess an individual's ability to expel air from the lungs and to help confirm a diagnosis of asthma, as it can show the narrowing of the airways characteristic of asthma. The nurse may administer a nebulizer treatment or medications as prescribed to help open up the airways and relieve symptoms.