QuestionSBA
QuestionChoice
As a β-2 agonist, salbutamol can cause tachycardia if given in high doses and is commonly seen in patients receiving back-to-back nebulisers.
10028331
a
Tachycardia
QuestionChoice
The patient may well be tachypnoeic due to respiratory distress, but this is not a side effect of salbutamol treatment.
10028332
b
Tachypnoea
QuestionChoice
Salbutamol tends to cause hyperglycaemia rather than hypoglycaemia at high doses due to increased glycolysis.
10028335
e
Hypoglycaemia
QuestionChoice
At very high doses, salbutamol can cause lactic acidosis. This is thought to be due to increased glycolysis and lipolysis from β-2 activation.
10028333
c
Low lactate
QuestionChoice
Salbutamol toxicity tends to cause hypokalaemia rather than hyperkalaemia due to increased sodium/potassium pump activity.
10028334
d
Hyperkalaemia
Concept
Chapter
2693
3725
Asthma
Topic
132
Respiratory
18064
Salbutamol, a β-2 agonist, can induce tachycardia as a side effect because it stimulates β-2 receptors in the lungs to cause bronchodilation, but it can also indirectly activate β-1 receptors in the heart, leading to an increased heart rate.
A 21-year-old female with a past medical history of asthma has worsening shortness of breath and chest tightness after cold-water swimming.

She is found to have a diffuse wheeze on examination and is given back-to-back salbutamol nebulisers as initial treatment.

What is the most likely complication of this treatment?
a