A 38-year-old man comes to the physician because of a 6-month history of occasional episodes of chest tightness, wheezing, and cough. The symptoms are often mild and resolve spontaneously. He has been otherwise healthy. His respirations are 13/min. The lungs are clear to auscultation. Cardiac examination and chest x-ray show no abnormalities. Which of the following agents is most appropriate to treat acute episodes in this patient?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: This patient has mild intermittent asthma (chest tightness, wheezing, cough). Albuterol (A), a short-acting β₂-agonist, is the first-line treatment for acute episodes, relaxing bronchial smooth muscle to relieve bronchospasm. Beclomethasone is an inhaled corticosteroid for maintenance, cromolyn prevents mast cell degranulation (not acute relief), ipratropium is an anticholinergic for COPD or severe asthma, and theophylline (E) is an older, less-used bronchodilator.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.