In a patient with acute respiratory distress and anxiety, what should you do if two puffs of an albuterol inhaler have provided no relief?

When a patient with acute respiratory distress and anxiety experiences no relief after using two puffs of an albuterol inhaler, assisting her with a third albuterol treatment is a reasonable intervention. Albuterol is a bronchodilator that works by relaxing the muscles in the airways, making it easier for the patient to breathe. If the initial doses do not alleviate the symptoms, it is appropriate to administer an additional dose under medical guidelines, as this is a common approach to manage acute bronchospasm in conditions like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Providing further bronchodilation can help improve airflow and reduce respiratory distress. It's essential to monitor the patient's response to the additional dose closely, as well as to continuously assess their overall condition.

While other interventions may be appropriate depending on the patient's ongoing status, such as transporting or providing supplemental oxygen, a third dose of bronchodilator is a direct approach to address the underlying airway constriction and is often performed in clinical practice when initial doses are ineffective.