Question

The nurse is caring for a 6-year-old child admitted from the emergency department after an acute asthma attack. The child has a new order for fluticasone (Flovent). What instructions must the family be given about this drug before the child's discharge?

1 Flovent needs to be taken with food or milk.
2 Flovent is primarily used to treat acute asthma attacks.
3 The child should suck on hard candy to help relieve dry mouth.
4 Watch for white patches in the mouth and report them to the primary care provider.

Answer 1

Before the child's discharge, the family must be given instructions about fluticasone (Flovent) including watching for white patches in the mouth, sucking on hard candy for dry mouth, and understanding that it is a long-term control medication.

Step-by-step explanation:

Before the child's discharge, the family must be given the following instructions about fluticasone (Flovent):

1. Watch for white patches in the mouth and report them to the primary care provider. This is important because white patches in the mouth may indicate a fungal infection called oral thrush, which can occur as a side effect of using inhaled corticosteroids like Flovent.
2. The child should suck on hard candy to help relieve dry mouth. Inhaled corticosteroids can sometimes cause dry mouth as a side effect, and sucking on hard candy can help alleviate this symptom.
3. Flovent needs to be taken as prescribed. It is a long-term control medication used to prevent asthma attacks, not treat acute asthma attacks. It is important for the family to understand that it is not used for immediate relief during an acute asthma attack.