After albuterol administration for acute bronchospasm, which of the following would most likely indicate a positive response?

After albuterol administration for acute bronchospasm, which of the following would most likely indicate a positive response?

• A. Decreased work of breathing
• B. Worsened wheeze
• C. Drowsiness
• D. Improved oxygen saturation

Answer: (A)

The main signal that albuterol is working in acute bronchospasm is a noticeable decrease in the effort the patient must make to breathe. When the airway smooth muscle relaxes and airways open, fewer muscles are needed to breathe, so you’ll see less use of the neck and chest muscles, a softer, more regular breathing pattern, and often a slower respiratory rate. Improved breathing effort is a direct, practical sign that airflow has improved. Improved oxygen saturation can also occur, but it isn’t as immediate or universal a sign of response because saturation can be influenced by other factors like oxygen therapy or ventilation-perfusion mismatch. Wheezing can be tricky: sometimes it decreases as airflow becomes easier, but it can also change in unpredictable ways and isn’t a reliable sole indicator of improvement. Drowsiness isn’t expected with albuterol and wouldn’t indicate a positive bronchodilator response.

The main signal that albuterol is working in acute bronchospasm is a noticeable decrease in the effort the patient must make to breathe. When the airway smooth muscle relaxes and airways open, fewer muscles are needed to breathe, so you’ll see less use of the neck and chest muscles, a softer, more regular breathing pattern, and often a slower respiratory rate. Improved breathing effort is a direct, practical sign that airflow has improved.

Improved oxygen saturation can also occur, but it isn’t as immediate or universal a sign of response because saturation can be influenced by other factors like oxygen therapy or ventilation-perfusion mismatch. Wheezing can be tricky: sometimes it decreases as airflow becomes easier, but it can also change in unpredictable ways and isn’t a reliable sole indicator of improvement. Drowsiness isn’t expected with albuterol and wouldn’t indicate a positive bronchodilator response.