A nurse in a clinic sees a client who has an acute asthma exacerbation. Which of the following medications should reduce the symptoms?

A. Budesonide is a corticosteroid used for long-term asthma control, not for acute exacerbations. B. Cromolyn is a mast cell stabilizer used for long-term control, not for acute symptoms. C. Montelukast is a leukotriene receptor antagonist used for long-term management, not for acute exacerbations. D. Albuterol is a bronchodilator used as a rescue medication to relieve acute asthma symptoms by relaxing the airway muscles and easing breathing.