Question

A patient is diagnosed with asthma. the primary care nurse practitioner (np) prescribes an inhaled corticosteroid and an inhaled bronchodilator medication and provides education about how to use inhalers. at a follow-up visit 2 weeks later, the patient's pulmonary function tests are worse. the np should:

Answer 1

The np should ask the patient questions to determine if they are correctly using the medications. If the patient is properly using the medications other exams should be preformed to determine the first diagnosis was correct and re evaluate the medication prescribed to the patient. Perhaps a higher dose is required or a different type of asthma medication.