A nurse is reinforcing teaching to a school-age child who has asthma. Which of the following medications should the nurse instruct the child to use to abort an ongoing attack?

A) Montelukast:
Montelukast is a leukotriene receptor antagonist (LTRA) used as a controller or maintenance medication for asthma. It is not used for the immediate relief of asthma symptoms during an acute attack. Montelukast is taken regularly to prevent asthma symptoms and reduce the frequency of asthma attacks, but it does not provide rapid relief during an ongoing attack.

B) Fluticasone:
Fluticasone is an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) used as a controller medication for asthma. It works by reducing airway inflammation and is taken regularly to control asthma symptoms and prevent exacerbations. Fluticasone is not used for the immediate relief of acute asthma symptoms and is not suitable for aborting an ongoing asthma attack.

C) Cromolyn:
Cromolyn is a mast cell stabilizer used as a controller medication for asthma. It helps prevent the release of inflammatory substances that contribute to asthma symptoms. Cromolyn is taken regularly to prevent asthma symptoms and reduce the frequency of asthma attacks but is not used for the immediate relief of acute asthma symptoms like albuterol.

D) Albuterol.
Albuterol is a short-acting beta agonist (SABA) bronchodilator used for the quick relief of asthma symptoms during an acute asthma attack or exacerbation. It works rapidly to relax the smooth muscles in the airways, opening them up and relieving bronchoconstriction, which improves airflow and alleviates symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. Albuterol is typically administered via inhalation through a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) or a nebulizer.

A) Low-back pain:
Low-back pain is not typically associated with transfusion reactions. While certain complications of blood transfusions, such as transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) or hemolytic reactions, can cause back pain, diphenhydramine is not specifically administered to prevent this manifestation.

B) Fever:
Fever can be a manifestation of various transfusion reactions, including febrile non-hemolytic reactions or bacterial contamination of blood products. However, diphenhydramine is not typically administered to prevent fever associated with transfusion reactions. Instead, measures such as leukoreduction of blood products or premedication with acetaminophen may be used to reduce the risk of febrile reactions.

C) Dyspnea:
Dyspnea, or difficulty breathing, can occur in severe transfusion reactions such as transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) or anaphylaxis. While diphenhydramine may be part of the treatment for anaphylaxis, it is not specifically administered to prevent dyspnea associated with transfusion reactions.

D) Urticaria.
Urticaria, commonly known as hives, is a common manifestation of an allergic transfusion reaction. Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine medication that can help prevent or alleviate allergic reactions, including urticaria, by blocking the action of histamine, a substance released during allergic reactions. Administering diphenhydramine before a blood transfusion is a preventive measure to reduce the risk of allergic transfusion reactions, including urticaria.