Final answer:
To mitigate cold-air induced bronchospasm, using a bronchodilator is the most effective option listed, as it relaxes the muscles around the airways, improving airflow. Other suggested methods like increasing respiratory rate, deep breathing exercises, or decreasing fluid intake are less direct and may not effectively address the immediate constriction of the airways.
Step-by-step explanation:
To reduce cold-air induced bronchospasm, the most effective approach among the options provided is B. Using a bronchodilator. Bronchodilators are medications that help to relax the muscles surrounding the airways, allowing them to open up and make breathing easier. This is particularly useful in conditions such as asthma, where the airways have a tendency to constrict in response to triggers such as cold air.
Increasing respiratory rate (Option A) would likely worsen the situation by bringing more cold air into the lungs and potentially exacerbating the bronchospasm. Deep breathing exercises (Option C) might be helpful for some patients by promoting relaxation and reducing stress, which can in turn help with overall breathing. However, they are not a direct treatment for the acute constriction of the airways that occurs during a bronchospasm. Decreasing fluid intake (Option D) could actually be counterproductive, as staying hydrated helps keep mucus thin and more manageable.
In the context of a patient suffering from an allergic reaction with swollen airways, these reactions would likely increase the resistance of the respiratory system due to the narrowing of the air passages. This is because resistance in the airways is inversely related to the radius of the airways. Hence, anything that causes airway constriction would increase resistance and make breathing more difficult.