What is an expected response after administering albuterol to an asthmatic patient?

The expected response after administering albuterol to an asthmatic patient encompasses several important physiological changes, which include a decrease in wheezing, an increase in heart rate, and an improvement in oxygen saturation.

Albuterol is a bronchodilator, specifically a short-acting beta-2 adrenergic agonist, which works by relaxing the muscles of the airways. This leads to bronchodilation and an increased airflow into the lungs. As a result, patients often experience a significant reduction in wheezing as their airways open up, making it easier to breathe.

In addition to alleviating symptoms like wheezing, albuterol can stimulate the heart rate. This is due to the beta-1 and beta-2 adrenergic receptor stimulation; while the primary action of albuterol is on beta-2 receptors in the bronchial smooth muscle, some non-selective effects can cause an increase in heart rate.

Furthermore, as airflow improves and breathing becomes easier, oxygenation to the tissues typically enhances, leading to an improvement in oxygen saturation levels.

Therefore, all of these expected responses collectively indicate that albuterol is effectively addressing the symptoms of an asthma attack, making the comprehensive option that includes all these outcomes the best choice.