When monitoring a patient receiving albuterol for a burn inhalation injury, what adverse effect should the nurse manage?

When a patient is receiving albuterol, a beta-agonist medication often used for conditions like bronchospasm, monitoring for tachycardia is essential. Albuterol works by stimulating beta-2 adrenergic receptors, primarily in the lungs, but it can also have some effects on beta-1 receptors in the heart. As a result, one of the common adverse effects observed with the use of albuterol is an increase in heart rate, which manifests as tachycardia.

In the context of a patient with a burn inhalation injury, managing tachycardia is particularly important, as the body's stress response may already be heightened due to the injury, and an elevated heart rate can contribute to increased workload on the heart. This is crucial because patients with burn injuries may already be at risk for cardiac complications due to fluid shifts and electrolyte imbalances.

Other effects related to albuterol, such as restlessness, hypokalemia, or GI distress, may also occur, but tachycardia is a more direct and frequent response that requires monitoring and management to ensure patient safety. Utilizing albuterol appropriately while being vigilant about this potential adverse effect is key in providing effective care for patients suffering from inhalation injuries.