AEMCA Practice Exam

For what condition would salbutamol be most appropriately prescribed?

1. Asthma attack

2. Pneumonia

3. Heart failure

4. Allergic reaction

The correct answer is: Asthma attack

Salbutamol is a short-acting beta-2 adrenergic agonist primarily used as a bronchodilator. Its main function is to relax the muscles in the airways, leading to improved airflow in patients experiencing bronchoconstriction. Given this mechanism of action, salbutamol is most appropriately prescribed during an asthma attack, where the sudden tightening of the airway muscles leads to difficulty in breathing. During an asthma attack, patients experience acute symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness as a result of inflammation and constriction of the airways. Salbutamol acts quickly to alleviate these symptoms by opening up the airways, making it the first-line treatment during such episodes. In contrast, pneumonia typically requires antibiotics and supportive care rather than a bronchodilator. Heart failure involves issues related to the heart's ability to pump effectively and is generally managed with diuretics and medications that improve cardiac function, while allergic reactions often require antihistamines or corticosteroids rather than bronchodilators.