Name of drug: Mechanisms of Nursing

Indication Contraindication Side Effects

Salbutamol Action Responsibilities
Generic name: Used as a Hypersensitivity to Binds to beta2- CNS: nervousness,  Assess lung sounds,
Albuterol bronchodilator to adrenergic amines. adrenergic receptors restlessness, tremor, pulse, and BP before
Brand name: control and prevent in airway smooth headache, insomnia administration and
Salbutamol reversible airway muscle, leading to during peak of
Therapeutic Class: obstruction caused by activation of adenyl Resp: paradoxical medication. Note
Bronchodilator asthma or COPD. cyclase and increased bronchospasm amount, color, and
Pharmacologic levels of cyclic-3, 5- (excessive use of character of sputum
Class: Used as a quick-relief adenosine inhalers). produced.
Adrenergic agent for acute monophosphate  Monitor pulmonary
Dosage: bronchospasm. (cAMP). Increases in CV: chest pain, function tests before
Via metered-dose cAMP activate palpitations, angina, initiating therapy and
inhaler—2 kinases, which inhibit arrhythmias, periodically during
inhalations q 4– 6 hr the phosphorylation hypertension. therapy.
or 2 inhalations 15 of myosin and  Observe for
min before exercise decrease intracellular GI: nausea, vomiting. paradoxical
(90 mcg/spray); some calcium. Decreased bronchospasm
patients may respond intracellular calcium Endo: (wheezing). If
to 1 inhalation. NIH relaxes smooth hyperglycemia. condition occurs,
Guidelines for acute muscle airways. withhold medication
asthma exacerbation: Relaxation of airway F and E: and notify health care
Children—4– 8 puffs smooth muscle with hypokalemia. professional
q 20 min for 3 doses subsequent immediately.
then q 1– 4 hr; Adults bronchodilation. Neuro: tremor.  Lab Test
—4– 8 puffs q 20 Relatively selective Considerations: May
min for up to 4 hr for beta2 (pulmonary) cause transient
then q 1– 4 hr prn. receptors decrease in serum
Route: potassium
Inhalation Therapeutic Effects: concentrations with
Pregnancy Bronchodilation. nebulization or
Classification: higher-than-
Category C Pharmacokinetics: recommended doses.
 Instruct patient to
Absorption: Well take albuterol as
absorbed after oral directed. If on a
administration but scheduled dosing
rapidly undergoes regimen, take missed
extensive metabolism. dose as soon as
 remembered, spacing
Distribution: Small remaining doses at
amounts appear in regular intervals. Do
breastmilk. not double doses or
increase the dose or
Metabolism and frequency of doses.
Excretion: : Caution patient not to
Extensively exceed recommended
metabolized by the dose; may cause
liver and other adverse effects,
tissues. paradoxical
bronchospasm (more
Half-life: 3.8 hrs likely with first dose
from new canister),
or loss of
effectiveness of
medication.
 Instruct patient to
contact health care
professional
immediately if
shortness of breath is
not relieved by
medication or is
accompanied by
diaphoresis,
dizziness,
palpitations, or chest
pain.
 Instruct patient to
prime unit with 4
sprays before using
and to discard
cannister after 200
sprays. Actuators
should not be
changed among
products.
 Inform patient that
 these products
contain
hydrofluoralkane
(HFA) and the
propellant and are
described as non-
CFC or CFC-free
(contain no
chlorofluorocarbons).
 Instruct patient to
notify health care
professional of all Rx
or OTC medications,
vitamins, or herbal
products being taken
and to consult health
care professional
before taking any
OTC medications or
alcoholic beverages
concurrently with
this therapy. Caution
patient also to avoid
smoking and other
respiratory irritants.
 Inform patient that
albuterol may cause
an unusual or bad
taste.
 Instruct patient in the
proper use of the
metered-dose inhaler
or nebulizer.
 Advise patients to
use albuterol first if
using other
inhalation
medications and
allow 5 min to elapse
 before administering
other inhalant
medications unless
otherwise directed.
 Advise patient to
rinse mouth with
water after each
inhalation dose to
minimize dry mouth
and clean the
mouthpiece with
water at least once a
week.
 Instruct patient to
notify health care
professional if there
is no response to the
usual dose or if
contents of one
canister are used in
less than 2 wks.

Reference:

Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. (2019). Nursing 2020 Drug Handbook (Vol. 1). Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Wolters Kluwer.