Medication

Answer

Case Study Questions

Question 1: Theoretical Knowledge on the Principle of Beneficence

I need theoretical knowledge of the principle of beneficence in healthcare to answer these concerns. The principle states that all healthcare providers and practitioners must use their knowledge and understanding and adopt any approaches possible to benefit patients in any situation (Assessment Technologies Institute, 2019). The treatment options and recommended medical procedures should be to enhance quality health outcomes. Any healthcare provider should adopt the best care approaches to save the patient’s life with the best knowledge and evidence-based practice to promote overall good (Treas, Wilkinson, Barnett, & Smith, 2018). The principle further informs care practice on the need to apply theoretical knowledge in critical situations by preventing awful situations while promoting good ones that will enhance the safety and overall wellbeing of the patient.

Question 2: Reliable Sources of Information

The primary sources of information on nursing theoretical knowledge include journal articles of healthcare ethics, the British National Formulary, Nurse Specialists, and books. More information can be accessed through online nursing resources such as DailyMed, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nurses Code of Ethics, Lippincott Nursing Centre, and National League for Nursing.

Question 3: Rationale on the Safety of the Prednisone Prescription

Prednisolone is a steroid that helps in reducing asthmatic symptoms such as wheezing. Patients who have previously had severe asthma are given this medication regularly. It helps control attacks and other symptoms presented by Kim, such as coughing, shortness of breath, nasal congestion, and extreme fatigue. As an anti-inflammatory medication, prednisolone controls any lung injections. Like any other steroids, it can be taken orally, through inhalation, or by injection to reduce inflammation in the airways. Kim Phan’s condition was rather critical, and that is why the practitioner administered the steroid intravenously. Any patient with worsening asthmatic symptoms is advised on the drug as it does not require any hospitalization.

Question 4:

Prednisone functions similarly to the hormones that the body generates. In extreme asthmatic cases, it is advisable to administer it to a patient in higher doses than required by the body (Alangari, 2014). This helps to suppress inflammation almost immediately. Prednisone is taken either orally or by injection. The approach explains why Kim received both a shot and pills; there was a need for a quick reaction to relieve the symptomatic pains. However, only a certified healthcare professional is allowed to administer a shot (Alangari, 2014). In typical cases, oral prednisone takes a longer time for effects to set in, depending on the patient's needs. In this case, Kim was at a critical point, and thus, administering injection and pills was essentially to flare off the inflammation and relieve the patient of pain (Alangari, 2014).

Question 5:

Kim is receiving a leukotriene inhibitor orally because Singulair is a form of prescription that helps block body substances known as leukotrienes. These substances are essential in improving asthmatic symptoms and inflammations of the nose lining, referred to as allergic rhinitis (Harmanci, 2007). Thus, leukotriene inhibitor (Singulair) was administered orally because it is a long-term treatment option for asthma in children above 12 months of age, thus, unnecessary for quick responses (Harmanci, 2007). Additionally, medical practitioners suggest that Singulair should not be administered in cases of a sudden asthma attack, as was the case in this scenario. Also, Kim received albuterol by nebulizer because it is a quick-relief medication (class of bronchodilators) to manage wheezing and sudden shortness of breath.