Final answer:
The step-up approach to asthma treatment involves escalating treatment based on patient's symptoms, starting with minimal necessary therapy and increasing the medication as required. Inhaled bronchodilators are used for quick relief, while corticosteroids are for long-term control, and the approach doesn't include antibiotics or initating with high-dose steroids.
Step-by-step explanation:
The step-up approach to asthma treatment is defined as escalating treatment as needed based on a patient's symptoms (Option C). This method involves beginning with the minimal necessary therapy to control the asthma and then increasing medication or adding additional treatments if symptoms are not adequately managed. Inhaled bronchodilators are typically used to provide quick relief during an asthma attack, while inhaled corticosteroids are considered the most effective treatment for long-term control of asthma to prevent attacks.
It's important to note that antibiotics are not typically used for asthma as it is not a bacterial infection, hence Option D is not part of the step-up approach. For long-term control, the type and dose of medication can be increased based on the severity of the symptoms, frequency of attacks, and identified triggers. Short-term treatments like fast-acting bronchodilators are used to manage acute attacks, while long-term treatments frame the step-up approach by adding more potent or additional medications as needed over time.