Which finding indicates improvement after bronchodilator therapy in an adolescent with asthma?

Which finding indicates improvement after bronchodilator therapy in an adolescent with asthma?

• A. Respiratory rate 20/min
• B. Worsening wheeze
• C. Increased heart rate
• D. Cough persists

Answer: (A)

Bronchodilators open the airways and reduce the work of breathing. When ventilation improves, the body doesn’t need to compensate with rapid breathing, so the respiratory rate trends toward the normal adolescent range. About 12–20 breaths per minute is typical for teens, so a rate around 20 suggests breathing is no longer excessively labored and air exchange is improving. The other signs point in less favorable directions: a wheeze that worsens means continued airway narrowing; an increased heart rate can occur from the medication itself but doesn’t by itself indicate true improvement; and a persistent cough indicates ongoing airway irritation or inflammation. So a normalizing respiratory rate best reflects the beneficial effect of bronchodilator therapy on airflow and breathing effort.

Bronchodilators open the airways and reduce the work of breathing. When ventilation improves, the body doesn’t need to compensate with rapid breathing, so the respiratory rate trends toward the normal adolescent range. About 12–20 breaths per minute is typical for teens, so a rate around 20 suggests breathing is no longer excessively labored and air exchange is improving. The other signs point in less favorable directions: a wheeze that worsens means continued airway narrowing; an increased heart rate can occur from the medication itself but doesn’t by itself indicate true improvement; and a persistent cough indicates ongoing airway irritation or inflammation. So a normalizing respiratory rate best reflects the beneficial effect of bronchodilator therapy on airflow and breathing effort.