A 10-year-old with mild persistent asthma should be treated with which regimen?

• A. Albuterol
• B. Albuterol and fluticasone
• C. Albuterol, fluticasone, and salmeterol
• D. Albuterol, fluticasone, salmeterol, and prednisone

Answer: (B)

In mild persistent asthma, control comes from daily anti-inflammatory treatment plus quick relief for symptoms. An inhaled corticosteroid like fluticasone reduces airway inflammation and decreases the frequency and severity of symptoms over time. Albuterol provides rapid bronchodilation to relieve acute symptoms, but it doesn’t treat the underlying inflammation. Therefore, the best approach is a daily inhaled corticosteroid regimen paired with albuterol as needed for relief. Using only albuterol would leave inflammation unaddressed, and adding a long-acting bronchodilator or systemic steroids is not first-line for a child with mild persistent asthma. So combining albuterol with an inhaled corticosteroid appropriately matches the treatment goals for this scenario.