What is the primary treatment for a patient with an acute asthma attack?

The primary treatment for a patient experiencing an acute asthma attack is the administration of bronchodilators. These medications, such as albuterol, work by relaxing and dilating the bronchial passages, which helps to alleviate bronchospasm and improve airflow. By targeting the underlying issue in an asthma attack, which is constricted airways due to muscle tightening, bronchodilators provide rapid relief of symptoms like wheezing and shortness of breath.

While supplemental oxygen therapy may be necessary if the patient is experiencing significant hypoxia, it does not address the underlying mechanism of an asthma attack. Antibiotics are used for bacterial infections and are not effective in treating asthma attacks, which are typically triggered by allergens, irritants, or infections but not directly caused by bacteria. Intravenous corticosteroids can be part of the longer-term management for severe asthma exacerbations but are not the first line of treatment during an acute episode. They work by reducing inflammation but take time to have an effect, whereas bronchodilators provide immediate relief. Therefore, bronchodilators are the most appropriate and effective initial response to an acute asthma attack.