Question

The physician has prescribed dornase alpha (Pulmozyme) for a child with cystic fibrosis. Which finding indicates the effectiveness of the medication? A. The number of stools has been reduced. B. The skin no longer has a salty taste. C. The clotting time is improved. D. The sputum is less viscous.

Short answer

Answer: D. The sputum is less viscous.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding cystic fibrosis and dornase alpha (Pulmozyme)

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder that affects primarily the lungs but also the pancreas, liver, kidneys, and intestine. It causes the production of abnormally thick and sticky mucus, which leads to difficulties in breathing, chronic lung infections, and other complications. Dornase alpha (Pulmozyme) is a medication used to treat people with cystic fibrosis, and it works by breaking down the DNA in the thick mucus, thus making it less viscous, easier to cough up, and helping improve lung function.

Analyzing Option A

Option A states that the effectiveness of the medication is indicated by a reduced number of stools. This finding is not directly related to the main purpose of dornase alpha (Pulmozyme), which is to address lung complications and not bowel movements.

Analyzing Option B

Option B suggests that the skin no longer having a salty taste is an indication of the medication's effectiveness. While people with cystic fibrosis often have higher levels of salt in their sweat, this characteristic is not directly targeted by dornase alpha (Pulmozyme). The medication primarily focuses on improving lung function by reducing the viscosity of mucus.

Analyzing Option C

Option C states that improved clotting time signifies the effectiveness of the medication. Clotting time is related to blood coagulation, which is not a direct concern for dornase alpha (Pulmozyme) when treating cystic fibrosis. The main goal of this medication is to reduce the viscosity of mucus, thus helping improve lung function.

Analyzing Option D

Option D suggests that the sputum being less viscous indicates the effectiveness of the medication. This option is directly related to the primary purpose of dornase alpha (Pulmozyme), which is to break down the DNA in the thick mucus to make it less viscous. This helps those with cystic fibrosis by making it easier to cough up mucus and improve their lung function.

Final conclusion

Based on the step-by-step analysis and comparison of each option, the correct answer is 'D. The sputum is less viscous,' as it directly indicates the effectiveness of dornase alpha (Pulmozyme) in treating cystic fibrosis by reducing the viscosity of mucus and improving lung function.