A 32-year-old patient presents to the emergency department with an acute asthma exacerbation. She is tachypneic, wheezing diffusely, and her oxygen saturation is 92% on room air. She reports using her albuterol inhaler every 2 hours without relief. What is the most appropriate immediate pharmacologic intervention?

The correct answer to the question "A 32-year-old patient presents to the emergency department with an acute asthma exacerbation. She is tachypneic, wheezing diffusely, and her oxygen saturation is 92% on room air. She reports using her albuterol inhaler every 2 hours without relief. What is the most appropriate immediate pharmacologic intervention?" is Option C: Administer nebulized short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) and ipratropium..

The other options — A) Administer intravenous corticosteroids., B) Initiate inhaled long-acting beta-agonist (LABA) therapy., D) Intubate the patient and initiate mechanical ventilation. — are incorrect for this USMLE Exam Prep question. As explained above: For acute asthma exacerbations, initial management involves repetitive or continuous nebulized SABAs (e.g., albuterol) along with ipratropium. Systemic corticosteroids are also indicated but inhaled …