Question

A 3-year-old girl with mild intermittent asthma is playing in the other room when her father hears acute onset of choking and coughing. The episode continues for five minutes, and he brings her to the Emergency Center. On exam she is awake and alert but coughing intermittently. Her respiratory rate is 25 breaths/minute with a saturation of 94% on room air. She has mild intercostal retractions, and wheezing is present over the left lateral and posterior lung fields. Chest radiographs reveal hyperinflation of the left lobe. Which of the following is indicated?

-Albuterol with ipratropium
-Ampicillin
-Bronchoscopy
-Intramuscular dexamethasone

Answer 1

The most appropriate initial treatment for an acute asthma attack in a 3-year-old girl is Albuterol with ipratropium.

Step-by-step explanation:

A 3-year-old girl with mild intermittent asthma is presenting with acute onset of choking and coughing. Her symptoms, such as wheezing, mild intercostal retractions, and hyperinflation of the left lobe on chest radiographs, suggest an asthma exacerbation. The most appropriate initial treatment for an acute asthma attack in a young child is Albuterol with ipratropium. This combination of medications is commonly used to relieve bronchospasm and improve airflow in the lungs.