01-13-2011, 02:25 AM
A 23-year-old man is admitted to the medical services with a severe asthma attack. He is also nauseous and has vomited twice today. The patient has a long history of severe asthma with multiple hospitalizations and one intubation 3 years ago. Two days prior to admission, he was exposed to dust while moving a file cabinet in his basement. Since that time, has had progressively worsening shortness of breath. He had tried home albuterol and ipratropium nebulizers, as well as his standard cromolyn therapy, but none of these interventions relieved his symptoms. In the hospital, the man's peak flow rates are decreased by nearly 50% from baseline. Which of the following agents should most likely be added to the patient's therapy to alleviate his current symptoms?
A. Beclomethasone
B. Disodium cromoglycate
C. Hydrocortisone
D. Prednisone
E. Theophylline