Medical-surgical Nursing Demystified

(^96) Medical-Surgical Nursing Demystified

• beclomethasone, triamcinolone, fluticasone, budesonide, flunisolide, mo-
  metasone inhalers


• prednisolone, prednisone orally


• Administer methylxanthines to assist with bronchodilation, often used when
  other medications not effective:


• aminophylline, theophylline

NURSING DIAGNOSES

• Impaired gas exchange


• Ineffective airway clearance


• Ineffective tissue perfusion

NURSING INTERVENTION

• Monitor respiration: patient’s respiratory status can continue to deteriorate;
  look at respiratory rate, effort, use of accessory muscles, skin color, breath
  sounds.


• Place patient in high Fowler’s position to ease respirations.


• Monitor vital signs, look for changes in BP, tachycardia, tachypnea.


• Explain to the patient:
  
  
  • How to use a peak flow meter.
  
  
  • How to use the metered dose inhaler or dry powder and in which order to
    take inhaled medication.
  
  
  • Avoid exposure to allergen.
  
  
  • How to recognize the early signs of asthma.
  
  
  • How to perform coughing and deep-breathing exercises.
  
  
  
  

Atelectasis

WHAT WENT WRONG?

A portion of the lung does not expand completely, decreasing the lung’s capacity

to exchange gases, which results in decreased oxygenation of blood. Obstruction

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