Which drug is used for immediate relief in chronic bronchial asthma?

RML PRE 2025

Pharmacology

Easy

Appeared in: RML PRE 2025

Explanation

Short-acting beta-2 agonists (SABAs) like Salbutamol are classified as 'rescue' or 'reliever' medications, specifically designed for acute symptoms.
They provide rapid bronchodilation by relaxing the smooth muscles of the airways, with an onset of action within 5 minutes.
Due to their fast action, they are the first-line and drug of choice for aborting an acute asthma attack or bronchospasm.

Option A: Inhaled corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory drugs used for long-term control. Their onset of action is slow (hours to days), making them unsuitable for acute relief.
Option B: Leukotriene receptor antagonists are controller medications that block specific inflammatory pathways. They are used for prophylaxis and have no role in reversing an acute bronchospasm.
Option D: Long-acting beta-2 agonists (LABAs) have a slower onset of action and a prolonged effect (up to 12 hours). They are used for maintenance therapy, not for acute rescue.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Pharmacological management of acute asthma exacerbations, specifically the difference between reliever and controller medications helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
A critical nursing responsibility is patient education. Patients must be able to differentiate between their 'reliever' (rescue) inhaler (e.g., Salbutamol) and their 'controller' (preventer) inhaler (e.g., Budesonide). Using a controller during an acute attack is ineffective and can be fatal.
Nurses should monitor the frequency of SABA use. If a patient is using their rescue inhaler more than twice a week, it is a key indicator of poor asthma control, and they should be referred for a medication review.
What if? If a patient's symptoms do not improve after using their SABA inhaler, or if they worsen, this may indicate a severe exacerbation or status asthmaticus, a medical emergency. The nurse's priority is to administer oxygen, prepare for nebulized bronchodilators (often combined with an anticholinergic), and anticipate orders for systemic corticosteroids.

How to Approach the Question

First, analyze the question stem and identify the key phrase: 'immediate relief'.
This phrase signals that the question is asking for a 'rescue' or 'reliever' medication, not a long-term 'controller' or 'preventer' medication.
Next, evaluate each option based on its classification and primary role in asthma therapy.
Option A (Inhaled corticosteroids) and Option B (Leukotriene antagonists) are controller medications used for long-term inflammation management.
Option D (Long-acting beta-2 agonists) is a long-acting bronchodilator for maintenance, not for rapid rescue.
Option C (Short-acting beta-2 agonists) is specifically designed for rapid onset and immediate relief of bronchospasm.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Pharmacological management of acute asthma exacerbations, specifically the difference between reliever and controller medications.
Stem keywords: drug, immediate relief, chronic bronchial asthma
Lead-in keywords: Which
Clinical cues: The phrase 'immediate relief' is the most critical cue, pointing directly to the need for a 'rescue' medication rather than a long-term 'controller' medication.

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