A 31-year-old female is experiencing an acute asthma attack. She is conscious and alert, but in obvious respiratory distress. After assisting her with her prescribed MDI, you should:

After assisting the patient with her prescribed metered-dose inhaler (MDI) during an acute asthma attack, the next critical step is to reassess the patient and document her response to the medication. This is essential for several reasons.

First, reassessing the patient allows the healthcare provider to determine the effectiveness of the medication administered. Monitoring the patient's respiratory rate, breath sounds, and overall level of distress after the MDI use provides important information about her current condition and response to treatment.

Additionally, documentation is vital for continuity of care. Recording the patient's initial assessment, the intervention performed (in this case, the use of the MDI), and her subsequent response creates a clear medical record. This documentation can be crucial for any further treatment provided by other healthcare professionals.

In acute medical situations like this, it is imperative to ensure that the patient is improving, worsening, or remaining stable following the medication's administration so that appropriate further actions can be taken if necessary.