Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

What is the primary initial treatment for a child with an acute asthma attack?

1. Oxygen therapy

2. Short-acting bronchodilator

3. Corticosteroids

4. Antibiotics

The correct answer is: Short-acting bronchodilator

The primary initial treatment for a child experiencing an acute asthma attack is the administration of a short-acting bronchodilator. These medications, such as albuterol, work quickly to relax and open the airways, facilitating improved airflow and decreased wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath associated with an asthma exacerbation. During an acute asthma episode, the bronchial smooth muscles tighten, leading to airway constriction. Short-acting bronchodilators act within minutes, making them essential for immediate relief in emergency situations. They are often delivered via inhalers or nebulizers, ensuring rapid action that alleviates the acute symptoms of asthma. While oxygen therapy may be needed in cases of severe hypoxia, the immediate goal in treating an acute asthma attack is to relieve bronchospasm. Corticosteroids could play a role in managing inflammation but typically take longer to have an effect and are more suited for ongoing management rather than acute treatment. Antibiotics are not indicated in the treatment of acute asthma attacks unless there is a concurrent bacterial infection, which is usually not the case in the context of an asthma exacerbation. Therefore, short-acting bronchodilators are the primary focus in initial management during an asthma attack.