Question

a nurse is planning to teach about inhalant medications to a client who has a recent diagnosis of exercise-induced asthma. which of the following medications should the nurse plan to include in the teaching for the client to use prior to physical activity?

cromolyn
beclomethasone
budesonide
tiotropium

Explanation:

Analyze the clinical scenario

The client has a diagnosis of exercise-induced asthma (exercise-induced bronchospasm). The nurse needs to identify which inhalant medication is administered prophylactically prior to physical activity to prevent bronchospasm.

Evaluate the options using pharmacological concepts

Using the Asthma Management knowledge point

• Cromolyn: A mast cell stabilizer that prevents the release of inflammatory mediators. It is inhaled 10 to 15 minutes before exercise to prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm.
• Beclomethasone: An inhaled corticosteroid used for long-term, daily maintenance control of asthma, not for immediate pre-exercise prophylaxis.
• Budesonide: Another inhaled corticosteroid used for daily maintenance therapy rather than quick-acting pre-exercise prevention.
• Tiotropium: A long-acting anticholinergic bronchodilator used daily for maintenance of COPD and severe asthma, not for pre-exercise prevention.

Using the Inhaled Corticosteroids knowledge point

• Beclomethasone and budesonide require weeks of consistent daily use to reduce airway inflammation and are ineffective when administered immediately before exercise.
• Therefore, Cromolyn is the correct choice for pre-exercise administration.

Answer:

• Cromolyn (Correct answer)
• Beclomethasone
• Budesonide
• Tiotropium