Albuterol Sulfate

Question 0

Drug classification

Answer 0

Bronchodilator

Question 1

Trade name (2)

Answer 1

Proventil, ventolin

Question 2

Actions (2)

Answer 2

1. relaxes bronchial smooth muscle by stimulating beta-2 receptors resulting in bronchodilation
2. reduces airway resistance by bronchodilation

Question 3

Indication (2)

Answer 3

1.  bronchospasm caused by (6)
Acute asthma
COPD/Chronic Bronchitis 
Toxic gas inhalation 
Near drowning
Drug overdose
Pulmonary edema

2. Crush syndrome
   Suspected hyperkalemia
   Crush/entrapment more than 4 hours

Question 4

Contraindications

Answer 4

Not significant in INDICATION listed above

Question 5

Adverse effects - cardiovascular (2)

Answer 5

Tachycardia

Hypertension

Question 6

Adverse effects - gastrointestinal

Answer 6

Nausea

Question 7

Adverse effects - neurological (4)

Answer 7

Tremors
Nervousness
Headache
Dizziness

Question 8

Adverse effects - respiratory (2)

Answer 8

Cough

Wheezing

Question 9

Administration - bronchospasm

Answer 9

5mg inhalation by hand-held nebulizer

Over 5-15 min

May repeat as many times as needed

Question 10

Administration - crush syndrome

Answer 10

5mg inhalation - continuous by hand-held nebulizer

Question 11

Pediatrics - 0-1yr.

Answer 11

2.5 mg inhalation by hand-held nebulizer over 5-15 min

May repeat as many times as needed

Question 12

Pediatrics - over 1 yr.

Answer 12

Same as adult (respiratory or crush syndrome)

Question 13

Onset

Answer 13

Within 5 minutes

Question 14

Duration

Answer 14

4 - 6 hours

Question 15

Precautions

Administer supplemental oxygen and monitor ECG rhythm, LOC, breath sounds and tidal volume

Answer 15

Rationale

May cause cardiac dysrhythmias especially in hypoxia patients - oxygen is administered with albuterol

Question 16

Precaution

Do not use restraining straps on face mask

Answer 16

Rationale

Patient may retain CO2

Monitoring patient’s LOC and tidal volume may be impaired

Question 17

Note

Answer 17

Use with caution in patients with heart disease, hypertension and tachy dysrhythmias

Signs of hyperkalemia in crush syndrome = peaked T waves, possibly absent P waves or widened QRS complexes

Question 18

How supplied

Answer 18

2.5mg/3mL bottles or “bullets”

Question 19

Reference #806

Answer 19

Bronchospasms/wheezing 5mg by HHN.

May repeat x 1 prn

Pediatric bronchospasm/wheezing
< 1 = 2.5
1 and > = 5mg

May repeat x 1 prn