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Nursing Guide for Ventolin Use

Salbutamol/Albuterol (trade name Ventolin) is a short-acting bronchodilator beta 2 agonist used to relieve symptoms of asthma and COPD such as coughing, wheezing and breathlessness. It works by stimulating beta-2 receptors in the bronchial muscles, causing them to relax and widen within 6-10 minutes for 2-4 hours. Common side effects include tremor, fast heartbeat, chest pain and insomnia. The nurse should assess lung sounds, oxygen levels, heart rate and blood pressure before and after administration and monitor for changes in potassium, glucose and breathing to determine if the medication is effective.

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Anja de Vries
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89 views1 page

Nursing Guide for Ventolin Use

Salbutamol/Albuterol (trade name Ventolin) is a short-acting bronchodilator beta 2 agonist used to relieve symptoms of asthma and COPD such as coughing, wheezing and breathlessness. It works by stimulating beta-2 receptors in the bronchial muscles, causing them to relax and widen within 6-10 minutes for 2-4 hours. Common side effects include tremor, fast heartbeat, chest pain and insomnia. The nurse should assess lung sounds, oxygen levels, heart rate and blood pressure before and after administration and monitor for changes in potassium, glucose and breathing to determine if the medication is effective.

Uploaded by

Anja de Vries
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Generic Name: Salbutamol/Albuterol Trade name: Ventolin

Pharmacologic Class: Bronchodilator, Short-acting Usual dose: 1-2 inhalations every 4-6 hours for relief;
Beta 2 Agonist (SABA) 2 inhalations QID for prevention

Action (What does it do? How long does it take to Uses for this medication: relieves symptoms of
work?): asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Stimulates the beta-2 adrenoceptors in your bronchial (COPD) such as coughing, wheezing and feeling
muscles, causing relaxation and dilation (widening) of breathless
the bronchi.
Onset: 6-10 mins Duration: 2-4 hrs
Common side effects: tremor, tachycardia, palpations, chest pain, dry mouth and throat, insomnia, tooth
discoloration, hypokalemia, conjunctivitis, hypersensitivity reactions
Clinical Judgment
Pre-administration assessment: What should the nurse assess before administering the medication?
- Auscultate lung sounds, SpO2, HR, BP
- Respiration – rate, rhythm, depth, use of accessory muscles
- Assess for allergies to bronchodilators and paradoxical bronchospasm
- Hx of hypertension, CVD, diabetes, HF, arrhythmias, hyperthyroidism, glaucoma, seizure disorders,
exercise-induced bronchospasm, prostatic hypertrophy
How will the nurse know if it is appropriate to administer?
- No allergies to bronchodilators, no presence of paradoxical bronchospasm, dose within safe range, no
hemodynamically significant tachycardia, caution w/ Hx of heart conditions (hypertension, CVD,
arrhythmias, etc.)
Post- administration assessment: What should the nurse assess after administering the medication? How will
you know if the medication is effective?
- Auscultate lung sounds , SpO2, HR, BP
- Respiration – rate, rhythm, depth, use of accessory muscles
- Monitor changes in serum potassium, glucose, ABGs
- Assess sleeping patterns
- Monitor for EKG changes
Nursing considerations:
- Try to schedule not immediately before bed. You can take this medication prophylactically before
activity or eating.
- Take BEFORE steroid inhalers
- Avoid beta blockers (Metoprolol, Bisoprolol) - increase airway reactivity & interfere with Beta 2
Agonist (worse for clients with asthma)
- Elderly patients, pregnant or breastfeeding patients, and children should use caution
- Shake the aerosol before inhalation
- Remind client to wait for 2 minutes before inhaling the next dose, allowing for maximum bronchial
absorption
- Instruct client not to take more than 2 inhalations at a time to prevent paradoxical bronchoconstriction
- Ask the client to rinse their mouth with water immediately after using their inhalation device to
prevent dryness and infection of the mouth/throat

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