Question

You have a patient who has a history of asthma and is having shortness of breath. The patient has a doctor's prescription to take 4 puffs of an Albuterol MDI every four hours as needed. Your local EMS policies allow you to help a patient self administer the MDI. What side effect should you watch for from the MDI?

A. sleepiness
B. increased heart rate
C. bradycardia
D. vomiting

Answer 1

The side effect to watch for with an Albuterol MDI is an increased heart rate, which is a common side effect due to the medication's beta-agonist properties.

Step-by-step explanation:

The side effect to watch for from an Albuterol MDI (Metered Dose Inhaler) is increased heart rate. Albuterol is a short-acting beta-agonist that works quickly to relieve symptoms of an asthma attack, such as coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing, and chest tightness. While helping a patient self-administer the medication, it is important to monitor for side effects such as an increased heart rate, which is a common side effect associated with the activation of beta receptors on the heart.