Question

A nurse is caring for a preschooler who has a new diagnosis of asthma. Which of the following medications should the nurse instruct the parent to administer for an acute asthma attack?

a) Inhaled corticosteroids

b) Leukotriene modifiers

c) Short-acting bronchodilators

d) Long-acting bronchodilators

Answer 1

For an acute asthma attack in a preschooler, a nurse should instruct the parent to administer short-acting bronchodilators. These medications provide rapid relief by relaxing the muscles around the airways.

Step-by-step explanation:

To answer the question, for a preschooler who has a new diagnosis of asthma and is experiencing an acute asthma attack, the recommended medication to administer would be c) Short-acting bronchodilators. Short-acting bronchodilators are the first line of treatment during an acute asthma attack because they work rapidly to relax the muscles around the airways. This action helps to open the airways, making it easier to breathe. Short-acting bronchodilators are usually administered via an inhaler or, for young children who may have difficulty using an inhaler, through a nebulizer.

Inhaled corticosteroids and leukotriene modifiers are generally used as long-term control medications to reduce inflammation and prevent future attacks, while long-acting bronchodilators are also used for long-term control and are not appropriate for immediate relief during an attack.