A client with asthma reports increasing shortness of breath and wheezing. The oxygen saturation is 90% on room air. Which nursing actions are appropriate? Select all that apply.
Select All That Apply
Choose your responses, then check the answer.
Explanation
Acute asthma symptoms with low oxygen saturation require airway-focused positioning, prescribed quick-relief bronchodilator therapy, oxygen as indicated, and close reassessment of respiratory status. Ambulation can worsen distress during an acute exacerbation. Oral fluids alone do not address bronchospasm or impaired oxygenation.
Clinical Judgment For acute wheezing with hypoxemia, support ventilation first and give ordered quick-relief therapy while reassessing response.
Memory Tip Sit up, bronchodilate, oxygenate, reassess.
KR vs US NCLEX asthma questions prioritize immediate airway and breathing interventions over routine comfort measures.
Clinical Practice GuideNHLBI asthma guidance describes quick-relief medicines, nebulized therapy, oxygen therapy, and urgent care for serious attacks that do not improve promptly.
CautionA quiet chest, fatigue, decreasing level of consciousness, or persistent hypoxemia is an emergency.
Bronchospasm — Narrowing of airway smooth muscle that increases work of breathing and causes wheezing.
Short-Acting Bronchodilator — A quick-relief medication used to relax airway smooth muscle during acute symptoms.
Hypoxemia — Lower-than-expected oxygen level in the blood, often reflected by low oxygen saturation.