When evaluating a patient’s use of a metered-dose inhaler (MDI), the nurse notes that the patient is unable to coordinate the activation of the inhaler with her breathing. What intervention is most appropriate at this time?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Obtain an order for a spacer device. This intervention is most appropriate as a spacer device can help improve the delivery of medication from the MDI, even if the patient is unable to coordinate inhalation with activation. The spacer device acts as an intermediary between the inhaler and the patient, allowing the medication to be inhaled more effectively. This ensures that the patient receives the full dose of the medication. Incorrect answers: A: Notifying the doctor that the patient is unable to use the MDI does not directly address the issue of coordination and does not provide a solution. B: Obtaining an order for a peak flow meter is not the most appropriate intervention in this scenario, as it does not address the patient's inability to coordinate the use of the MDI. D: Asking the prescriber if the medication can be given orally is not necessary if the patient can still benefit from using the MDI with the help of a spacer device.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. Chemical antagonism refers to the interaction between two drugs where they combine to form an inactive compound. This results in a decrease in the overall pharmacological effect of the drugs. In contrast, options B, C, and D are incorrect because they describe scenarios where the combination of drugs leads to a more active, more water-soluble, or more fat-soluble compound, which would typically result in enhanced pharmacological effects rather than antagonism.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Low potency. Tetracaine is a potent local anesthetic with high potency. It has a slow onset, long duration, and high toxicity. Low potency would imply weaker anesthetic effects, which is not true for tetracaine. Other choices are incorrect as tetracaine is known for its strong anesthetic properties.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Secretions. Atropine is used to reduce respiratory secretions before inhaling anesthetics as it helps prevent airway obstruction and aspiration. It does not affect muscle tone or nausea/vomiting. Choice A is incorrect because atropine can actually increase muscle tone. Choice C is incorrect because atropine does not directly address nausea and vomiting. Overall, the main purpose of using atropine in this context is to decrease secretions, making option B the correct answer.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Ephedrine. Catecholamines are a class of neurotransmitters that include epinephrine, norepinephrine, and isoprenaline. Ephedrine is a sympathomimetic amine, not a catecholamine. Ephedrine acts by stimulating both alpha and beta-adrenergic receptors, while catecholamines specifically act on adrenergic receptors. Therefore, ephedrine does not fit the definition of a catecholamine, making it the correct answer. Epinephrine, norepinephrine, and isoprenaline are all true catecholamines.