For a patient with asthma experiencing wheezing, what should you assist them with?

Assisting a patient with asthma who is experiencing wheezing primarily involves helping them use a metered dose inhaler (MDI) with a spacer, if available. The MDI delivers a bronchodilator medication, typically albuterol, directly to the lungs, which can help relieve bronchospasm and reduce wheezing. The action of the medication works quickly to open the airways, making it a crucial intervention in managing an asthma exacerbation.

Using the metered dose inhaler properly improves medication delivery to the patient's lungs, aiding in symptom relief. It is essential to ensure that the patient is using the inhaler correctly and to provide reassurance during administration, as panic can exacerbate asthma symptoms.

Oxygen administration may also be indicated for patients with significant respiratory distress or low oxygen saturation, but in a typical context of managing wheezing with the goal of immediate symptom relief, assisting with the inhaler is the most direct action. Other options like IV fluids or an adrenaline injection are not standard for initial management of an asthma attack unless there are additional complications or signs of severe anaphylaxis.