A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a parent of a child who has asthma about the administration of montelukast. Which of the following statements by the parent indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A.
“I will give this medication to my child every 2 hours if he is wheezing.”
B.
“It takes 2 months of scheduled use before this medications effective.”
C.
“I can stop giving my child this medication if he is taking a steroid.”
D.
“I will give this medication to my child once daily in the evening “
The correct answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is:
D. “I will give this medication to my child once daily in the evening.”
Explanation:
Montelukast is a leukotriene receptor antagonist used in the management of asthma. It helps prevent asthma symptoms by blocking leukotrienes, which are substances in the body that contribute to inflammation and bronchoconstriction. Here’s a detailed explanation of why option D is correct and why the others are not:
- Option A: “I will give this medication to my child every 2 hours if he is wheezing.”
This statement is incorrect because montelukast is not a rescue medication; it’s a long-term control medication. It is taken daily on a scheduled basis, not in response to acute symptoms. For acute wheezing or asthma attacks, a rescue inhaler (usually containing a bronchodilator) is typically used. - Option B: “It takes 2 months of scheduled use before this medication is effective.”
This statement is incorrect. Montelukast generally begins to show effects within 1 week of starting the medication, although optimal benefits might be seen within a few weeks. It does not typically take 2 months to be effective, though individual responses can vary. - Option C: “I can stop giving my child this medication if he is taking a steroid.”
This statement is incorrect. Montelukast should not be discontinued based solely on the use of inhaled steroids. Both medications serve different roles: montelukast helps with inflammation and allergic responses, while steroids help to reduce inflammation in the airways. The use of both may be necessary for optimal asthma control, and any changes to medication should be made under the guidance of a healthcare provider. - Option D: “I will give this medication to my child once daily in the evening.”
This statement is correct. Montelukast is typically taken once daily in the evening. Taking it at night helps maximize its efficacy since many asthma symptoms, including inflammation, have a nocturnal component. Consistent daily dosing helps maintain steady levels of the medication in the body.
In summary, montelukast is used for long-term control of asthma and should be administered once daily in the evening for optimal effect.