Medical Emergencies · single question
Asthmatic patient starts having breathing problems after anesthesia administration. Management?
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Correct answer: A. Albuterol (rescue inhaler)
- A. Correct. For an acute asthma exacerbation/bronchospasm, the first-line rescue treatment is a short-acting beta-2 agonist such as albuterol.
- B. Epinephrine is reserved for severe/refractory bronchospasm or signs of anaphylaxis, not the routine first-line treatment for typical asthma exacerbation in a conscious patient.
- C. While supplemental oxygen may also be provided, withholding the specific rescue bronchodilator (albuterol) would be inadequate management.
- D. Diphenhydramine (an antihistamine) is not the appropriate treatment for bronchospasm/asthma exacerbation.
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