Test Generator Questions, Chapter 44, Drugs for Asthma and Other Bronchoconstrictive
Disorders
1. A patient has been diagnosed with asthma. Which of the following patient teaching
interventions are most important?
A) Do not become fatigued. It will trigger asthma.
B) Exposure to cold temperatures can trigger asthma.
C) Do not consume foods high in sodium.
D) The exposure to direct sunlight will trigger asthma.
Ans: B
Chapter: 44
Client Needs: D-4
Cognitive Level: Comprehension
Concepts & Processes: Nursing Process
Difficulty: Moderate
Objective: 8
Page & Header: 713, Symptoms
Feedback: Exposure to cold air can exacerbate asthma symptoms due to the bronchoconstriction
of airways. Fatigue is not a direct trigger of asthma. The consumption of high quantities of
sodium will trigger asthma. The exposure to direct sunlight will not trigger asthma.
2. A patient has been taking ibuprofen (Advil) twice daily for 2 weeks after an ankle injury. The
patient calls her health care provider and states she is bothered by shortness of breath and rapid
breathing. What will the patient’s health care provider suspect?
A) The patient is having an anxiety attack.
B) The patient is having a hypersensitivity reaction.
C) The patient is experiencing hypoglycemia.
D) The patient is suffering from a myocardial infarction.
Ans: B
Chapter: 44
Client Needs: D-2
Cognitive Level: Application
Concepts & Processes: Nursing Process
Difficulty: Moderate
Objective: 1
Page & Header: 713, Symptoms
Feedback: In about 25% of patients with asthma, aspirin and other nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs can precipitate an asthma attack. The patient is experiencing a
hypersensitivity reaction. The patient is not experiencing hypoglycemia or a myocardial
infarction.
3. A patient is using an albuterol (Proventil) inhaler, which is a bronchodilator. Which of the
following patient teaching interventions is important for the patient who is experiencing
shortness of breath related to constriction of airways?
A) Administer insulin to decrease hand shaking
B) Administer ibuprofen (Advil) to decrease inflammation
C) Exercise should be limited to one time per week
D) Stop smoking due to the bronchoconstriction
Ans: D
Chapter: 44
Client Needs: D-2
Cognitive Level: Application
Concepts & Processes: Nursing Process
Difficulty: Moderate
Objective: 8
Page & Header: 713, Symptoms
Feedback: Cigarette smoking will increase bronchoconstriction, so the patient should be
encouraged to stop. The albuterol causes hand shaking. Insulin will not decrease hand shaking.
The patient will not require ibuprofen (Advil). The patient should be encouraged to exercise, and
it should not be limited to one time per week.
4. A patient is started on albuterol (Proventil). What reaction should the patient be instructed on?
A) Polydipsia will occur.
B) Tachycardia will occur.
C) Hypotension will occur.
D) Diarrhea will occur.
Ans: B
Chapter: 44
Client Needs: D-2
Cognitive Level: Application
Concepts & Processes: Nursing Process
Difficulty: Moderate
Objective: 2
Page & Header: 725, Toxicity: Recognition and Management
Feedback: The symptoms of cardiac stimulation, including tachycardia, are noted with the
administration of albuterol. The patient will not experience polydipsia, hypotension, or diarrhea.
5. A patient is admitted to the emergency room with inspiratory stridor and air hunger after a
bee sting. Which of the following medications will the nurse prepare for administration?
A) Ipratropium bromide (Atrovent)
B) Epinephrine (Adrenalin)
C) Cromolyn (Intal)
D) Pseudoephedrine
Ans: B
Chapter: 44
Client Needs: D-2
Cognitive Level: Application
Concepts & Processes: Nursing Process
Difficulty: Moderate
Objective: 3
Page & Header: 715, Drug Therapy
Feedback: Epinephrine may be injected subcutaneously in an acute attack of
bronchoconstriction. Ipratropium is administered by inhalation for maintenance therapy of
bronchoconstriction related to chronic bronchitis and inflammation. It is not administered for an
acute attack of bronchoconstriction. Cromolyn stabilizes mast cells and prevents the release of
bronchoconstrictive and inflammatory substances when mast cells are confronted with allergens
and other stimuli. It is not used for acute attacks. Pseudoephedrine is not administered for acute
bronchoconstriction.
6. A patient is instructed on the administration of inhaled corticosteroid agents to treat asthma.
How do inhaled corticosteroid agents assist in the treatment of asthma?
A) Inhaled corticosteroid agents will depress the central nervous system.
B) Inhaled corticosteroid agents will reduce respiratory rate.
C) Inhaled corticosteroid agents will reduce bronchodilation.
D) Inhaled corticosteroid agents will reduce airway inflammation.
Ans: D
Chapter: 44
Client Needs: D-2
Cognitive Level: Application
Concepts & Processes: Nursing Process
Difficulty: Moderate
Objective: 4
Page & Header: 718, Corticosteroids
Feedback: Inhaled corticosteroid agents suppress the release of inflammatory mediators, block
the generations of cytokines, and decrease the recruitment of airway eosinophils. Inhaled
corticosteroid agents do not depress the central nervous system. Inhaled corticosteroid agents do
not affect bronchodilation or constriction.
7. A patient is prescribed an adrenergic bronchodilator for airway constriction. Which of the
following conditions will require it to be administered cautiously?
A) Liver failure
B) Renal failure
C) Respiratory constriction
D) Seizure disorder
Ans: D
Chapter: 44
Client Needs: D-2
Cognitive Level: Application
Concepts & Processes: Nursing Process
Difficulty: Moderate
Objective: 3
Page & Header: 715, Adrenergics
Feedback: The administration of adrenergic bronchodilators should be used cautiously in patients
with hypertension, hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, and seizure disorders. The patient with
liver failure and renal failure can be administered adrenergic bronchodilators. The patient with
respiratory constriction should receive adrenergic bronchodilators.
8. A patient is experiencing an acute asthma attack. Which of the following medications are
contraindicated for the treatment of acute asthma?
A) Aminophylline
B) Cromolyn (Intal)
C) Albuterol (Proventil)
D) Corticosteroids
Ans: B
Chapter: 44
Client Needs: D-2
Cognitive Level: Application
Concepts & Processes: Nursing Process
Difficulty: Moderate
Objective: 6
Page & Header: 721, Mast Cell Stabilizers
Feedback: Cromolyn stabilizes mast cells and is not used in acute bronchospasm. Aminophylline
is used in limited cases, but is administered for acute asthma attack. Albuterol is used for acute
asthma attack. Corticosteroids are administered for acute asthma attack to decrease
inflammation.
9. A child is prescribed an inhaled corticosteroid agent to decrease respiratory inflammation
related to exposure to an animal. The patient’s parent administers high doses of the therapy after
2 days of administration. What is the patient at risk for?
A) Adrenal insufficiency
B) Tachycardia
C) Edema
D) Hypoglycemia
Ans: A
Chapter: 44
Client Needs: D-2
Cognitive Level: Application
Concepts & Processes: Nursing Process
Difficulty: Moderate
Objective: 4
Page & Header: 725, Use in Children
Feedback: Adrenal insufficiency is most likely to occur with systemic or high doses of inhaled
corticosteroids. The patient is not at risk for tachycardia, edema, or hypoglycemia unless related
to adrenal insufficiency.
10. A patient is experiencing an acute asthma attack. What is the first-line therapy for relief of
an acute asthma attack?
A) Inhaled steroid
B) Leukotriene modifier
C) Beta2-adrenergic agonist
D) Xanthine
Ans: C
Chapter: 44
Client Needs: D-2
Cognitive Level: Application
Concepts & Processes: Nursing Process
Difficulty: Moderate
Objective: 6
Page & Header: 715, Adrenergics
Feedback: A patient experiencing an acute asthma attack should be administered a beta2adrenergic agonist. The patient can receive an inhaled steroid, but it is not the first-line therapy.
Leukotriene modifiers are used for maintenance in asthma, not during acute exacerbation.
Xanthines are not the drug of choice in acute asthma attack.
11. Albuterol (Proventil) is administered for bronchodilation. What is stimulated to be increased
in production with the administration of this beta2-adrenergic agonist?
A) Leukotrienes
B) Cortisol
C) Cyclic AMP
D) Glucagon
Ans: C
Chapter: 44
Client Needs: D-2
Cognitive Level: Application
Concepts & Processes: Nursing Process
Difficulty: Moderate
Objective: 2
Page & Header: 715, Adrenergics
Feedback: Beta-adrenergic drugs increase the production of cyclic AMP to produce
bronchodilation. They do not increase the release of leukotrienes, cortisol, or glucagon.
12. A patient is being assessed by the home care nurse on the administration of the inhalers.
Which of the following will assist in proper administration of the inhaler?
A) Use of a spacer
B) Administer corticosteroid first
C) Provide 1000 mL of fluid
D) Exhale after administration
Ans: A
Chapter: 44
Client Needs: D-2
Cognitive Level: Application
Concepts & Processes: Nursing Process
Difficulty: Moderate
Objective: 8
Page & Header: 726, Use in Home Care
Feedback: The patient should be instructed to use a spacer to increase compliance and accuracy
of administration. The corticosteroid should be administered after the bronchodilator. The
increase in fluids will not affect the administration of the inhaler. The patient should hold his
breath for several seconds after administration of the inhaler.
13. A patient is admitted to the intensive care unit with status asthmaticus. The patient is
administered high doses of nebulized albuterol (Proventil). What electrolyte imbalance should
the nurse expect with this patient?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypermagnesemia
C) Hypocalcemia
D) Hypokalemia
Ans: D
Chapter: 44
Client Needs: D-2
Cognitive Level: Application
Concepts & Processes: Nursing Process
Difficulty: Moderate
Objective: 7
Page & Header: 726, Use in Patients With Critical Illness
Feedback: High doses of nebulized albuterol have been associated with tachycardia,
hypokalemia, and hyperglycemia. The patient will not have alterations of magnesium or calcium.
14. A patient is bothered with nighttime episodes of bronchoconstriction related to asthma.
Which of the following medications can be administered to decrease the nighttime episodes and
prevent asthma attacks?
A) Xanthines
B) Beta2-adrenergic agonists
C) Anticholinergics
D) Leukotriene modifiers
Ans: D
Chapter: 44
Client Needs: D-2
Cognitive Level: Application
Concepts & Processes: Nursing Process
Difficulty: Moderate
Objective: 4
Page & Header: 720, Leukotriene Modifiers
Feedback: The leukotriene modifiers improve symptoms and pulmonary function tests, decrease
nighttime symptoms, and decrease the use of beta2-adrenergic drugs. Xanthines treat acute
attacks but do not prevent asthma from occurring. Beta2-adrenergic agonists treat acute attacks
but do not prevent asthma from occurring. Anticholinergics block the action of acetylcholine in
bronchial smooth muscle when given by inhalation.
15. A patient is given theophylline to treat acute asthma symptoms. Which of the following
foods should the patient avoid?
A) Chocolate
B) Bananas
C) Orange juice
D) Cranberry juice
Ans: A
Chapter: 44
Client Needs: D-2
Cognitive Level: Application
Concepts & Processes: Nursing Process
Difficulty: Moderate
Objective: 2
Page & Header: 721, Herbal and Dietary Supplements
Feedback: Chocolate contains caffeine and is also a xanthine; thus chocolate should be avoided
when the patient is taking theophylline. Restriction of bananas, orange juice, and cranberry juice
is not required.