A Patient with Asthma Is Admitted to an Emergency Department

A patient with asthma is admitted to an emergency department with a respiratory rate of 22 breaths per minute, a prolonged expiratory phase, tight wheezes, and an oxygen saturation of 90% on room air. The patient reports using fluticasone [Flovent HFA] 110 mcg 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