Rescue medication for asthma includes which option?

Rescue medication for asthma includes which option?

• A. Short-acting beta agonist such as albuterol
• B. Inhaled corticosteroids
• C. Leukotriene modifiers
• D. Antihistamines

Answer: (A)

Rescue medication for asthma is a fast-acting bronchodilator used to relieve acute bronchoconstriction. Short-acting beta-agonists, such as albuterol, fit this role best because they quickly stimulate beta-2 receptors in the airway smooth muscle, leading to rapid bronchodilation within minutes. This provides immediate relief from wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness and is used as needed during an attack or right before exercise to prevent symptoms. Inhaled corticosteroids are controller medications. They reduce airway inflammation but do not provide rapid relief; they take days to weeks to have their full effect and are intended for daily use to decrease the frequency and severity of symptoms, not for immediate rescue. Leukotriene modifiers are another form of anti-inflammatory therapy that helps with chronic control, especially in leukotriene-mediated asthma, but they do not act quickly enough to relieve an acute episode. Antihistamines address allergic symptoms like sneezing and nasal congestion and do not treat bronchospasm, so they are not used as rescue therapy for asthma.

Rescue medication for asthma is a fast-acting bronchodilator used to relieve acute bronchoconstriction. Short-acting beta-agonists, such as albuterol, fit this role best because they quickly stimulate beta-2 receptors in the airway smooth muscle, leading to rapid bronchodilation within minutes. This provides immediate relief from wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness and is used as needed during an attack or right before exercise to prevent symptoms.

Inhaled corticosteroids are controller medications. They reduce airway inflammation but do not provide rapid relief; they take days to weeks to have their full effect and are intended for daily use to decrease the frequency and severity of symptoms, not for immediate rescue.

Leukotriene modifiers are another form of anti-inflammatory therapy that helps with chronic control, especially in leukotriene-mediated asthma, but they do not act quickly enough to relieve an acute episode.

Antihistamines address allergic symptoms like sneezing and nasal congestion and do not treat bronchospasm, so they are not used as rescue therapy for asthma.