Question

What nursing assessment should be performed for each medication? What planning and implementation are needed regarding each medication? How do I evaluate each medication’s effectiveness?

Albuterol

Allopurinol

Digoxin

Levothyroxine

Answer 1

Ans 1. Nursing assessment should include : Albuterol

Obtain a complete health history including allergies, drug history, possible drug reactions, and use of complementary and herbal remedies.

Assess for symptoms related to respiratory deficiency such as dyspnea, orthopnea, cyanosis, nasal flaring, wheezing, and weakness.

Auscultate bilateral breath sounds for air movement and adventitious sounds

listening to lung sounds, obtaining blood pressure, and heart rate prior to use and during use of albuterol.

If a patient has a productive cough, it's important to assess amount, color, and consistency of sputum.

Planning :

Exhibit adequate oxygenation as evidenced by improved lung sounds and pulmonary function values.

Report a reduction in subjective symptoms of respiratory deficiency.

Demonstrate an understanding of the drug’s action by accurately describing drug side effects and precautions.

Nursing implications include assessment before and during treatment.

Nurses should also provide teaching on proper use of albuterol, as well as side effects to be aware of.

If treatment is not effective or shortness of breath increases, it's important to contact your physician.

Monitor vital signs including pulse, blood pressure, and respiratory rate.

Monitor the client’s ability to use inhaler.

Observe for side effects specific to the medication used.

Maintain environment free of respiratory contaminants such as dust, dry air, flowers, and smoke.

Maintain dietary intake that is adequate in essential nutrients and vitamins, and ensure adequate hydration .

Provide emotional and psychosocial support during periods of shortness of breath.

Effectiveness

After 4 hours of nursing interventions, client was able to demonstrate behaviour to improve airway clearance and reduce the symptoms to some extent.

Albuterol is effective to relieve bronchospasm (tightening and swelling of the muscles around the airways) in children and adults with asthma. It’s also used to prevent exercise-induced asthma.

2. Allopurinol Assessment :

-to assess the renal activities with sign and symptoms

- history for any allergic, blodd crisis, GFR and liver disorder

Planning and implementation :

- assessment for the care to patient

- administer drug following meals and drinks plenty of water

- check urine alkalinity and skin allergic

- regular follow up and blood test.

- input output chart is mandatory

Effectiveness :

- after sometime, patient symptoms is reduced and urine output is maintained to some extent

Ans 3. Digoxin :

Assessment :

- assess the body vitals and cardiac function

- assesses the patient is having any other disorder

-assess the ecg of the patient, echo and cardiac enzymes

Planning and implementation :

- as per given history of the patient, need to follow the chart for further care to patient

- follow dietary regimen and medication as prescribed

- regular testing and evaluation is good for health

- appropriate positioning is good for circulation of blood

- Observe for side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, shortness of breath, vision changes, leg muscle cramps.

Effectiveness :

- maintainance of heart strength and ability to walk

- reduce some lipidogenesis

- increase the strength and efficiently of heart contractions

- reduce some symptoms to some extent

Ans 4. Levothyroxine :

Assessment :

- hypersensitivity and assess all the vitals

- RFT and LFT, thyroid test

- assess thyroid functions i.e. blood sugar, weight monitoring

Planning and implementation :

- demonstrate understanding of life long need for drug therapy

- demonstrate ability to sleep atleast 6 hours nightly

- maintainance of body weight, blood glucose level

- prepare for diet and medication regimen

Effectiveness :

- this mainly depends upon the patient goals and expected outcome have been met.

- symptomatic option reduction is seen if medication regimen follows as prescribed by physician.