Question

A physician orders metaproterenol (Alupent) by metered-dose inhalation four times daily for a client with acute bronchitis. Which statement by the client indicates effective teaching about this medication?

a- "I need to call the physician right away if I feel my heart beating fast after using the drug."
b- "I can stop using this drug when I begin to feel better."
c- "I should use this inhaler whenever I get short of breath."
d- "I need to hold my breath as long as possible after I take a deep inhalation."

Answer 1

The correct answer is d- "I need to hold my breath as long as possible after I take a deep inhalation."

Step-by-step explanation:

Holding the breath, will increase the absorption of Alupent in the alveoli of the lungs. The medicine is used for a longer period of time to get maximum benefit from. The patient simply should not use it, whenever he or she is out of breath because excessive use can lead to drug dependency. The patient should strictly follow the dosage prescribed to him.

Metaproterenol (which is a bronchodilator) often leads to a condition of increased heart beat called Tachycardia. in such case, the patient must report to his consultant if he experiences this situation.