Final answer:
For an 11-year-old experiencing a severe asthma exacerbation, the immediate medication administered would be C. Albuterol with or without ipratropium bromide, a fast-acting bronchodilator that quickly opens up the airways and alleviates symptoms. The correct answer is option C .
Step-by-step explanation:
When dealing with an asthma exacerbation in an 11-year-old soccer player, the medical team would seek to provide immediate relief to alleviate the symptoms and open the airways. The condition of asthma involves constricted air passages which lead to symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing, and chest tightness. In a severe asthma attack, symptoms could escalate to difficulty breathing with cyanosis, confusion, drowsiness, rapid pulse, sweating, and anxiety. The choice of medication depends on the severity of the condition, frequency of attacks, and known triggers.
For immediate treatment of a severe asthma exacerbation, the emergency department would typically administer a fast-acting bronchodilator. Albuterol, sometimes combined with ipratropium bromide, is a short-term, rapid-onset bronchodilator commonly provided via an inhaler or nebulizer. Albuterol works quickly to soothe and open up the constricted airways, making it easier to breathe. Terbutaline is another bronchodilator that could be used, however, it is less common in emergency settings. Magnesium sulfate can be used in severe cases but typically as an adjunct to bronchodilator therapy in a hospital setting. Prednisone is a corticosteroid that is used for long-term control of asthma and is not ideal for immediate relief during an active asthma attack due to its slower onset of action.
Thus, in the case of an 11-year-old experiencing a severe asthma exacerbation, the correct medication to administer immediately would be C. Albuterol with or without ipratropium bromide. This medication starts to take effect almost immediately and is crucial for reversing the symptoms of an acute asthma attack. Long-term treatments like corticosteroids, while effective for prevention and control, would not be the first line of treatment in an emergency situation.