Question

52. The nurse is administering albuterol (Proventil) to a child with asthma. Which of the following assessments by the nurse indicate the need for an adjustment of the medication?

A) Lethargy and fatigue
B) Edema is the lower extremities
C) Apical Pulse of 112
D) Temperature of 101 degrees Fahrenheit

Answer 1

An apical pulse of 112 in a child taking albuterol (Proventil) for asthma may indicate that an adjustment in the medication is necessary, as it can be a sign of an excessive dose or significant reaction.

Step-by-step explanation:

The administration of albuterol (Proventil) to a child with asthma can have side effects that require adjustment of the medication. Among the options provided, an apical pulse of 112 may indicate the need for an adjustment of the medication.

Albuterol is a bronchodilator used in the treatment of asthma and may cause an increased heart rate (tachycardia). While a slightly elevated heart rate can be a normal response to albuterol, an apical pulse of 112 in a child could suggest that the dose is too high or that the child is having a significant reaction to the medication. This needs to be assessed in the context of the child's normal heart rate range and their clinical presentation.

It is important to also monitor for other signs like breathlessness, giddiness, and pallor, as noted in women of childbearing age, and severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing indicative of a severe asthma attack. However, letter options A) Lethargy and fatigue, B) Edema in the lower extremities, and D) Temperature of 101 degrees Fahrenheit are not typical immediate side effects of albuterol.