Luke has a mild persistent asthma. Appropriate daily medication should include:

Luke has a mild persistent asthma. Appropriate daily medication should include:

• A. short acting beta2 agonists
• B. an inhaled low-dose corticosteroid
• C. an oral systemic corticosteroid
• D. a cough suppressant

Answer: (B)

Managing mild persistent asthma centers on daily control of airway inflammation. An inhaled low-dose corticosteroid provides anti-inflammatory effects directly in the airways, reducing symptoms, preventing nighttime awakenings, and lowering the risk of exacerbations. This daily controller therapy is preferred for mild persistent asthma in children. Short-acting beta-2 agonists relieve acute bronchospasm but do not address inflammation, so they aren’t used as the daily maintenance treatment for persistent asthma. Systemic corticosteroids are more potent and have greater systemic side effects; they’re reserved for severe episodes or short bursts, not routine daily management. Cough suppressants don’t treat the underlying inflammatory process or airway hyperresponsiveness and aren’t appropriate as everyday asthma control.

Managing mild persistent asthma centers on daily control of airway inflammation. An inhaled low-dose corticosteroid provides anti-inflammatory effects directly in the airways, reducing symptoms, preventing nighttime awakenings, and lowering the risk of exacerbations. This daily controller therapy is preferred for mild persistent asthma in children.

Short-acting beta-2 agonists relieve acute bronchospasm but do not address inflammation, so they aren’t used as the daily maintenance treatment for persistent asthma. Systemic corticosteroids are more potent and have greater systemic side effects; they’re reserved for severe episodes or short bursts, not routine daily management. Cough suppressants don’t treat the underlying inflammatory process or airway hyperresponsiveness and aren’t appropriate as everyday asthma control.