Which nursing intervention should be included in the care plan for a patient with suspected bronchospasm?

For a patient with suspected bronchospasm, initiating nebulizer therapy is a critical intervention because nebulizers deliver medications directly to the lungs, allowing for rapid relief of bronchospasm symptoms. Bronchospasm causes narrowing of the airways, leading to difficulty in breathing, and medications delivered through a nebulizer, often bronchodilators like albuterol, help to relax and widen the airways, enhancing airflow and improving oxygenation.

This intervention is particularly effective during acute episodes as it provides immediate medication administration, which is essential in managing increased airway resistance and restoring normal respiratory function. By focusing on this intervention, the care plan addresses the immediate respiratory needs of the patient, which is paramount in a situation that threatens airway patency and effective breathing.

While other interventions may provide supportive care or contribute to overall patient comfort and effectiveness of breathing, nebulizer therapy directly targets the underlying issue of bronchospasm, making it the appropriate intervention in this scenario.