National Asthma Educator Certification Board (NAECB) Practice Exam

What should be the recommended response for asthma control in a patient experiencing frequent symptoms?

1. Increase usage of albuterol

2. Initiate long-term controller medication

3. Reduce use of inhalers

4. Consult for a biological therapy

The correct answer is: Initiate long-term controller medication

The recommended response for a patient experiencing frequent asthma symptoms is to initiate long-term controller medication. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder, and frequent symptoms typically indicate that a patient’s asthma is not well-controlled. Long-term controller medications, such as inhaled corticosteroids, work to reduce inflammation in the airways, thereby improving overall lung function and helping to prevent asthma attacks. Using albuterol, which is a short-acting bronchodilator, may provide temporary relief of symptoms but is not effective for long-term control. Relying on increased usage of this medication can also mask poorly controlled asthma rather than address the underlying inflammation. Reducing the use of inhalers is counterproductive, as this would likely lead to increased symptoms and could compromise the patient's ability to manage acute exacerbations. While biological therapies can be considered, particularly for patients with severe asthma not controlled by other means, they are not the first-line response for managing frequent symptoms. The initiation of long-term controller medication represents a proactive approach to achieving better asthma control and improving the patient’s quality of life.