Pharmacology · patient case question
What is the mechanism of action of albuterol?
Patient case: Bone biology and drug mechanisms
Scenario: One histology item followed by a run of mechanism-of-action questions.
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. Beta-2 adrenergic agonist
- A. A beta-1 blocker slows the heart and lowers contractility; blocking beta receptors would worsen bronchospasm, not relieve it.
- B. Correct. Albuterol is a short-acting selective beta-2 agonist. Stimulating beta-2 receptors on bronchial smooth muscle raises cyclic AMP and relaxes the airway — the rescue inhaler in asthma.
- C. Muscarinic antagonists such as ipratropium do bronchodilate, but by a different route, and albuterol is not one of them.
- D. Leukotriene antagonists such as montelukast are controller medications taken orally, not rescue bronchodilators.