(Case study - Chap. 18)

S., age 8 years, is brought to the emergency department by her mother. S.'s mother states that S. has a 3-year history of allergy-induced asthma. S. is in acute distress; her respiratory rate is 38 breaths/min, and the nurse notes sternal and intercostal contractions. S.'s mother tells the nurse that S. has received nebulizer treatments at home and has taken several "hits" from the rescue inhaler with little relief.

1. What type of medication does the nurse expect S. will receive initially? By which route will the medication be administered?
2. The patient is being discharged to home with a prescription for a new inhaler with a spacer. The nurse asks the mother if S. has been using an inhaler with a spacer, and the mother replies that S. has not. What will the nurse teach the mother about the benefits of using a spacer?
3. is also prescribed a long-term inhaler. The nurse anticipates that this inhaler will contain the drug salmeterol. What patient teaching will the nurse provide about this medication?