Beclomethasone comes as an aerosol to inhale by mouth using an inhaler. It usually is inhaled twice a day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use beclomethasone exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Show
Talk to your doctor about how you should use your other oral and inhaled medications for asthma during your treatment with beclomethasone inhalation. If you were taking an oral steroid such as dexamethasone, methylprednisolone (Medrol), or prednisone (Rayos), your doctor may want to gradually decrease your steroid dose starting after you begin to use beclomethasone. Beclomethasone controls symptoms of asthma but does not cure it. Improvement in your asthma may occur as soon as 24 hours after using the medication, but full effects may not be seen for 1 to 4 weeks after using it regularly. Continue to use beclomethasone even if you feel well. Do not stop using beclomethasone without talking to your doctor. Call your doctor if your symptoms or your child's symptoms do not improve during the first 4 weeks or if they get worse. Beclomethasone helps to prevent asthma attacks (sudden episodes of shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing) but will not stop an asthma attack that has already started. Your doctor will prescribe a short-acting inhaler to use during asthma attacks. Tell your doctor if your asthma worsens during your treatment. Do not use your beclomethasone inhaler when you are near a flame or source of heat. The inhaler may explode if it is exposed to very high temperatures. Each beclomethasone inhaler is designed to provide 50, 100, or 120 inhalations, depending on its size. After the labeled number of inhalations has been used, later inhalations may not contain the correct amount of medication. You should keep track of the number of inhalations you have used. You can divide the number of inhalations in your inhaler by the number of inhalations you use each day to find out how many days your inhaler will last. Throw away the inhaler after you have used the labeled number of inhalations even if it still contains some liquid and continues to release a spray when it is pressed. Before you use beclomethasone inhaler the first time, read the written instructions that come with the inhaler. Look at the diagrams carefully and be sure that you recognize all the parts of the inhaler. Ask your doctor, pharmacist, or respiratory therapist to show you the right way to use the inhaler. Practice using the inhaler in front of him or her, so you are sure you are doing it the right way. To use the aerosol inhaler, follow these steps: Keep the inhaler clean and dry with the cover tightly in place at all times. To clean your inhaler, use a clean, dry tissue or cloth. Do not wash or put any part of your inhaler in water.
Learn about inhaled steroids in this nursing pharmacology guide for student nurses! Get to know its uses, side-effects, nursing considerations and more. Inhaled steroids have been found to be a very effective treatment for bronchospasm. The drug of choice depends on the individual patient’s response; a patient may have little response to one agent and do very well on another. Inhaled Steroids: Generic and Brand NamesHere is a list of some of the most commonly encountered inhaled steroids.
What are Inhaled Steroids?Inhaled steroids are used to decrease the inflammatory response in the airway.
Therapeutic actionsThe desired actions of inhaled steroids include:
Indication of Inhaled SteroidsInhaled steroids are indicated for the following:
PharmacokineticsThese drugs are rapidly absorbed from the respiratory tract, but they from 2 to 3 weeks to reach effective levels.
Contraindications and CautionsThe contraindications and cautions for patients using inhaled steroids include the following:
Adverse effectsAdverse effects of using inhaled steroids include the following:
Nursing considerations for a patient using inhaled steroids include the following: Nursing AssessmentHistory taking and physical exam of a patient using inhaled steroids include:
Nursing Diagnosis and Care PlanningNursing diagnoses related to drug therapy might include the following: Nursing Implementation with RationaleNursing interventions for patients using inhaled steroids include:
EvaluationEvaluation of a patient using inhaled steroids include:
Practice Quiz: Inhaled SteroidsHere’s a 5-item quiz for this inhaled steroids study guide. Please visit our nursing test bank page for more NCLEX practice questions. 1. A Cromolyn sodium (Intal) inhaler is prescribed to a client with asthma. A nurse provides instructions regarding the side effects of this medication. The nurse tells the client that which undesirable effect is associated with this medication? A. Insomnia D. Hypotension 1. Answer: C. Wheezing
2. A nurse is about to administer Albuterol (Ventolin HFA) 2 puff and Budesonide (Pulmicort Turbohaler) 2 puff by metered dose inhaler. The nurse plans to administer by? A. Alternating with a single puff each, starting with albuterol.B. Alternating with a single puff each, starting with budesonide.C. Budesonide inhaler first then the albuterol. D. Albuterol inhaler first then the budesonide. 2. Answer: D. Albuterol inhaler first then the budesonide.
3. A nurse teaches a client about the use of a respiratory inhaler. Which action by the client indicated a need for further teaching? A. Removes the cap and shakes the inhaler well before use.B. Presses the canister down with finger as he breathes in.C. Inhales the mist and quickly exhales. D. Waits 1 to 2 minutes between puffs if more than one puff has been prescribed. 3. Answer: C. Inhales the mist and quickly exhales.
4. A client with acute asthma is prescribed short-term corticosteroid therapy. What is the rationale for the use of steroids in clients with asthma? A. Corticosteroids promote bronchodilation. D. Corticosteroids prevent the development of respiratory infections. 4. Answer: C. Corticosteroids have an anti-inflammatory effect.
5. The nurse is teaching the client how to use a metered dose inhaler (MDI) to administer a Corticosteroid drug. Which of the following client actions indicates that he is using the MDI correctly? Select all that apply. A. The inhaler is held upright.B. Head is tilted down while inhaling the medication.C. Client waits 5 minutes between puffs.D. Mouth is rinsed with water following administration. E. Client lies supine for 15 minutes following administration. 5. Answer: A and D.
Recommended ResourcesRecommended resources and reference books. Disclosure: Includes Amazon affiliate links. See AlsoHere are other nursing pharmacology study guides:
Gastrointestinal System Drugs
Respiratory System Drugs Endocrine System Drugs Autonomic Nervous System Drugs Immune System Drugs Chemotherapeutic Agents Reproductive System Drugs
Nervous System Drugs Cardiovascular System Drugs References and SourcesReferences and sources for this study guide about Inhaled Steroids.
|