| Drug and Dosage | Use | Action | Assessment: Side Effects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetylcysteine (Mucomyst)—inhalation 1–5 mL of 20% solution or 1–10 mL of 10% solution per nebulizer 3 times daily | Emphysema; pneumonia; tracheostomy care; atelectasis; cystic fibrosis Antidote to acetaminophen overdose, to protect against hepatotoxicity | Lowers viscosity of respiratory secretions by opening disulfide linkages in mucus | Stomatitis, nausea; rhinorrhea; bronchospasm |
| NURSING IMPLICATIONS: Observe respiratory rate; maintain open airway with suctioning as necessary; observe clients with asthma carefully for increased bronchospasm; discontinue treatment immediately if this occurs; odor disagreeable initially | |||