What is the typical emergency response to an asthma attack?

Study for the AAOS Emergency Care and Transport of the Sick and Injured Exam. Prepare with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Get ready for success!

Assisting with bronchodilators is the typical emergency response to an asthma attack because these medications are designed to relax and open the airways, making it easier for the patient to breathe. During an asthma attack, the airways become inflamed and constricted, which can severely restrict airflow. Bronchodilators, such as albuterol, act quickly to alleviate the symptoms by relieving bronchospasm and improving airflow.

While other options could have some relevance in specific contexts, they do not address the immediate needs of a patient experiencing an asthma attack as effectively as bronchodilators. Administering oral steroids is typically done for long-term management and not effective in the acute phase of an attack. Providing oxygen therapy may be necessary in cases of severe hypoxia, but it doesn't treat the underlying bronchospasm. CPR is only warranted if the patient is in cardiac arrest, which is not a direct treatment for asthma attacks. Thus, assisting with bronchodilators remains the most effective intervention in an acute asthma episode.

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