CHAPTER 62 DRUGS FOR ASTHMA & CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY
DISEASE | COMPREHENSIVE PHARMACOLOGY STUDY GUIDE, PRACTICE
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 2026/2027
629. A patient with asthma is admitted to an emergency department with a respiratory rate of 22
breaths/minute, a prolonged expiratory phase, tight wheezes, and an oxygen saturation of 90% on room
air. The patient reports using fluticasone [Flovent HFA] 110 μg twice daily and has used 2 puffs of
albuterol [Proventil HFA], 90 mcg/puff, every 4 hours for 2 days. The nurse will expect to administer
which drug?
a. Four puffs of albuterol, oxygen, and intravenous theophylline
b. Intramuscular glucocorticoids and salmeterol by metered-dose inhaler
c. Intravenous glucocorticoids, nebulized albuterol and ipratropium, and oxygen
d. Intravenous theophylline, oxygen, and fluticasone (Flovent HFA) 220 mcg - ANS ✔✔C
630. A patient with stable COPD is prescribed a bronchodilator medication. Which type of bronchodilator
is preferred for this patient?
a. A long-acting inhaled beta2 agonist
b. An oral beta2 agonist
c. A short-acting beta2 agonist
d. An intravenous methylxanthine - ANS ✔✔a
631.A patient with COPD is prescribed tiotropium [Spiriva]. After the initial dose, the patient reports only
mild relief within 30 minutes. What will the nurse tell the patient?
a. "You may have another dose in 4 hours."
b. "You may need to take two inhalations instead of one."
c. "You should have peak effects in about 6 hours."
d. "You should see improved effects within the next week." - ANS ✔✔D
632. A patient with asthma comes to a clinic for treatment of an asthma exacerbation. The patient's
medication history lists an inhaled glucocorticoid, montelukast [Singulair], and a SABA as needed via
MDI. The nurse assesses the patient and notes a respiratory rate of 18 breaths/minute, a heart rate of 96
beats/minute, and an oxygen saturation of 95%. The nurse auscultates mild expiratory wheezes and
equal breath sounds bilaterally. What will the nurse do?
a. Contact the provider to request a systemic glucocorticoid.
b. Contact the provider to suggest using a long-acting beta2 agonist.
c. Evaluate the need for teaching about MDI use.
d. Question the patient about how much albuterol has been used. - ANS ✔✔d
633. A parent asks a nurse about growth suppression resulting from the use of an inhaled glucocorticoid
in children. What will the nurse tell the parent?
a. Growth may be slowed, but eventual adult height will not be reduced.
b. The growth rate is not impaired, but overall height will be reduced.
c. The growth rate slows while the drug is used and only resumes when the drug is stopped.
d. Long-term use of the drug results in a decrease in adult height. - ANS ✔✔a
DISEASE | COMPREHENSIVE PHARMACOLOGY STUDY GUIDE, PRACTICE
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 2026/2027
629. A patient with asthma is admitted to an emergency department with a respiratory rate of 22
breaths/minute, a prolonged expiratory phase, tight wheezes, and an oxygen saturation of 90% on room
air. The patient reports using fluticasone [Flovent HFA] 110 μg twice daily and has used 2 puffs of
albuterol [Proventil HFA], 90 mcg/puff, every 4 hours for 2 days. The nurse will expect to administer
which drug?
a. Four puffs of albuterol, oxygen, and intravenous theophylline
b. Intramuscular glucocorticoids and salmeterol by metered-dose inhaler
c. Intravenous glucocorticoids, nebulized albuterol and ipratropium, and oxygen
d. Intravenous theophylline, oxygen, and fluticasone (Flovent HFA) 220 mcg - ANS ✔✔C
630. A patient with stable COPD is prescribed a bronchodilator medication. Which type of bronchodilator
is preferred for this patient?
a. A long-acting inhaled beta2 agonist
b. An oral beta2 agonist
c. A short-acting beta2 agonist
d. An intravenous methylxanthine - ANS ✔✔a
631.A patient with COPD is prescribed tiotropium [Spiriva]. After the initial dose, the patient reports only
mild relief within 30 minutes. What will the nurse tell the patient?
a. "You may have another dose in 4 hours."
b. "You may need to take two inhalations instead of one."
c. "You should have peak effects in about 6 hours."
d. "You should see improved effects within the next week." - ANS ✔✔D
632. A patient with asthma comes to a clinic for treatment of an asthma exacerbation. The patient's
medication history lists an inhaled glucocorticoid, montelukast [Singulair], and a SABA as needed via
MDI. The nurse assesses the patient and notes a respiratory rate of 18 breaths/minute, a heart rate of 96
beats/minute, and an oxygen saturation of 95%. The nurse auscultates mild expiratory wheezes and
equal breath sounds bilaterally. What will the nurse do?
a. Contact the provider to request a systemic glucocorticoid.
b. Contact the provider to suggest using a long-acting beta2 agonist.
c. Evaluate the need for teaching about MDI use.
d. Question the patient about how much albuterol has been used. - ANS ✔✔d
633. A parent asks a nurse about growth suppression resulting from the use of an inhaled glucocorticoid
in children. What will the nurse tell the parent?
a. Growth may be slowed, but eventual adult height will not be reduced.
b. The growth rate is not impaired, but overall height will be reduced.
c. The growth rate slows while the drug is used and only resumes when the drug is stopped.
d. Long-term use of the drug results in a decrease in adult height. - ANS ✔✔a
