A patient with asthma is using fluticasone and requests a refill for albuterol after 5 weeks. What is the appropriate action by the nurse practitioner?

The appropriate action in this scenario is to increase the dose of the inhaled steroid, fluticasone, and refill the albuterol. A patient with asthma who requires a refill for their rescue inhaler (albuterol) within such a short period, in this case after just 5 weeks, may not be effectively controlling their asthma. This frequent use of albuterol often indicates that the underlying inflammation and airway hyperreactivity associated with asthma are not being sufficiently managed.

Increasing the dose of the inhaled corticosteroid, such as fluticasone, helps to reduce airway inflammation and improve overall asthma control, potentially decreasing the need for rescue inhalers. Inhaled corticosteroids are considered the cornerstone of long-term control for asthma. While the albuterol provides quick relief for acute symptoms, it does not address the underlying issue of chronic inflammation that is characteristic in asthma management.

Thus, the nurse practitioner's role is to ensure that the patient is on an adequate dose of their long-term control medication to minimize reliance on the fast-acting bronchodilator, which would lead to better management of their asthma symptoms.