A patient will be discharged home with albuterol to use for asthma. Which information will the nurse include when teaching this patient about this medication?

Choice A rationale Albuterol is a short-acting beta-2 adrenergic agonist (SABA) used as a rescue inhaler. Failure to respond to the usual dose or increasing frequency of use (normal use is 2 puffs every 4-6 hours as needed) indicates worsening asthma control, potentially requiring oral corticosteroids or a change in controller medication, not simply a need for a higher dose of the rescue inhaler. Choice B rationale Overuse of albuterol can lead to tolerance (tachyphylaxis) of the β_2-receptors in the bronchial smooth muscle, making the drug less effective. Paradoxically, frequent, high-dose use can sometimes exacerbate airway hyperresponsiveness and potentially cause bronchospasm or a "rebound" effect, indicating poor asthma control and the need for urgent medical reassessment and management escalation. Choice C rationale Dysarthria, which is difficulty with speech articulation, is not a recognized common or expected side effect of albuterol at therapeutic doses. Common side effects are related to beta-adrenergic stimulation, such as tachycardia (palpitations), tremor, and nervousness, due to non-selective receptor activation in skeletal muscle and the heart. Choice D rationale Albuterol, a β_2-agonist, is known to cause a shift of potassium into the cells, which can lead to hypokalemia (normal range 3.5-5.0 mEq/L), particularly at high doses. Although it can transiently elevate blood glucose, it is not associated with causing hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), and monitoring for symptoms of hyperglycemia would be more appropriate, though less common than hypokalemia.