Final answer:
Bronchodilators are the class of drugs used to expand the respiratory tract passages in people with asthma, making breathing easier during an asthma attack. They act by relaxing the muscles around the bronchioles and reducing constriction. Avoiding triggers and using corticosteroids for long-term control are also important in managing asthma.
Step-by-step explanation:
A person with asthma may use a class of drugs called bronchodilators to expand the passages of the respiratory tract. These medications work by soothing the constricted airways and help to re-expand them, making it easier to breathe. This is especially beneficial during an asthma attack, when the bronchioles, or tiny branches in the lungs, become inflamed and narrow, leading to difficulty in breathing and other symptoms like wheezing and chest tightness.
Another class of drugs that can help manage asthma symptoms are corticosteroids, which are mainly used for long-term control and to prevent the occurrence of asthma attacks by reducing inflammation in the airways.
It is also important for individuals with asthma to avoid triggers that can lead to attacks, such as allergens, cold air, or smoke. In some cases, short-term, fast-acting drugs are administered via an inhaler or nebulizer to treat an asthma attack. However, the medication described in the student's question as able to expand the respiratory passages would be bronchodilators.
Complete question is as follows :
What class of drugs is used by a person with asthma to expand the passages of the respiratory tract??