Pediatric asthma management best practice is

• A. Use corticosteroids only after full recovery.
• B. Inhaled albuterol and ipratropium (Atrovent) early.
• C. Avoid bronchodilators in acute attack.
• D. Only treat triggers, not acute episodes.

Answer: (B)

In pediatric asthma during an acute flare, the priority is to quickly relieve bronchoconstriction with bronchodilators. Inhaled albuterol acts fast to relax airway smooth muscle and open the airways,providing immediate relief. When the attack is more severe, adding ipratropium bromide can enhance bronchodilation and improve breathing, and this combination started early has been shown to help outcomes in children. This approach directly addresses the current obstruction rather than waiting for recovery or focusing only on triggers. Bronchodilators are not avoided in an acute attack; they are the first-line treatment, and while steroids may be used as part of the broader management, they do not replace the need for prompt bronchodilator relief.