Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

When should a child with exercise-induced asthma take his albuterol inhaler for optimal control?

1. Premedicate himself 20 minutes prior to starting exercise

2. Wait until he starts to exercise before using the inhaler

3. Premedicate 60 minutes before starting exercise

4. Wait until he finishes his exercise before using his inhaler

The correct answer is: Premedicate himself 20 minutes prior to starting exercise

Taking the albuterol inhaler 20 minutes prior to starting exercise is the recommended approach for managing exercise-induced asthma. This timing allows the medication, which is a short-acting bronchodilator, to reach its peak effect, providing optimal airway relaxation and helping to prevent bronchospasm during physical activity. By premedicating, the child can enhance their lung function and exercise tolerance, reducing the likelihood of asthma symptoms or attacks during the activity. Alternative approaches, like waiting until the exercise begins or after finishing, do not provide the same level of proactive management and may not prevent the onset of symptoms effectively. Premedicating too early could also result in the medication's effects diminishing by the time exercise begins, making 20 minutes prior the most effective strategy.