Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 70%
Simulated
Passage / Scenario
A child who is experiencing status asthmaticus.A nurse is caring for a child who is experiencing status asthmaticus. Which of the following interventions is the priority for the nurse to take?
Correct answer
C
Rationale
The correct answer is C: Administer a short-acting B2-agonist (SABA). In status asthmaticus, the priority is to quickly relieve bronchoconstriction for immediate relief of symptoms and prevent respiratory failure. SABA acts rapidly to dilate the airways, providing immediate relief. Option A (peak flow reading) is important for monitoring but not as urgent as providing immediate relief. Option B (inhaled glucocorticoid) is used for long-term management, not acute exacerbations. Option D (determining the cause) is important but not the priority in an emergency situation.