Question

Mr. Mc Connell carries a diagnosis of poorly controlled asthma. The Nurse Practitioner is checking the electronic health record and notes that his usage of Albuterol is excessive. Mr. McConnell is going through 1 canister every 10 days. What would your first steps be and what recommendations would you give this patient? Please explain your rationale.

Answer 1

Albuterol is a drug used in asthma to prevent bronchospasm. It is a bronchodilator that relaxes the muscles of the respiratory tract thus increasing the airflow which is needed in people with asthma , exercise induced bronchospasm.

Here , Mr. Mc Connell has poorly controlled asthma and he is overdosing with albuterol with 1 canister every 10 days. The increased need for this medication would be indication of more serious asthma attack.

Overdose of albuterol is fatal. It results in tachycardia, tremors, fainting, convulsions. Therefore, the first step would be to do the physical examination, check vitals and look for any adverse effects of overdoseage of albuterol.

Recommendations that has to be given are :

• Use Albuterol as prescribed. It is usually 2 inhalation every 4 to 6 hours. If you need it more, consult the nurse practitioner or physician.
• Identify the triggers of asthma and keep away from the triggers.
• Do not stress yourself.
• Practice yoga, deep breathing exercises which are good exercise for lungs.
• Take adequate rest.
• Maintain healthy lifestyle.

Thank you.