Medical Emergencies · single question
During a dental procedure a patient begins wheezing. What is the INITIAL drug of choice?
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Correct answer: A. Albuterol (salbutamol) inhaler
- A. Correct. For acute asthma/bronchospasm, the INITIAL treatment is ALBUTEROL (short-acting beta-2 agonist bronchodilator) via metered dose inhaler. It provides rapid bronchodilation.
- B. Incorrect. Corticosteroids reduce airway inflammation but take hours — NOT first-line for acute bronchospasm.
- C. Incorrect. Epinephrine is for ANAPHYLAXIS with systemic involvement (urticaria, hypotension, severe bronchospasm). Isolated wheezing consistent with asthma is treated first with a bronchodilator.
- D. Incorrect. Diphenhydramine is for allergic reactions — not first-line for acute bronchospasm.
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