In assessing a patient with asthma exacerbation attributed to aspirin, what is the most immediate intervention required?

Prepare for the KSA Asthma Test. Study with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each question provides hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

In the context of an asthma exacerbation, especially one precipitated by aspirin, the most immediate intervention is the administration of a bronchodilator. Bronchodilators are crucial for providing rapid relief of bronchospasm, which is a key component of an asthma attack. These medications work by relaxing the muscles around the airways, leading to dilation and easing airflow, which is essential for the patient's acute management.

While oxygen may be part of supportive care if the patient is hypoxemic, it does not address the underlying issue of bronchoconstriction that characterizes an asthma exacerbation. Likewise, intravenous corticosteroids are important for reducing inflammation during a severe exacerbation but typically take several hours to exert their effects, making them less immediate than bronchodilators. Antibiotic therapy is not indicated unless there is a clear evidence of an infection, as it does not address the asthma exacerbation itself. Thus, bronchodilator administration is the priority to alleviate the patient's acute respiratory distress.

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