The nurse in the emergency department is caring for a patient brought by ambulance for shortness of breath with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The health care provider recommends a short-acting beta agonist to be administered STAT. Which medication should the nurse anticipate will be ordered?

A. Salmeterol: Salmeterol is a long-acting beta agonist (LABA) used for maintenance therapy in COPD and asthma. It is not suitable for acute symptom relief because its onset of action is too slow for emergency situations. B. Metoprolol: Metoprolol is a beta-blocker used primarily for hypertension, arrhythmias, and heart failure. It would worsen bronchoconstriction in COPD patients by blocking beta-2 receptors in the lungs. C. Misoprostol: Misoprostol is a prostaglandin analog used for preventing gastric ulcers and for cervical ripening in obstetrics. It has no role in the management of acute respiratory distress or COPD exacerbations. D. Albuterol: Albuterol is a short-acting beta agonist (SABA) with rapid onset of action. It is the drug of choice for acute bronchospasm and COPD exacerbations, as it quickly relaxes bronchial smooth muscle and relieves shortness of breath.