The nurse is educating the parents of a recently diagnosed child with asthma. When reviewing the medications, the nurse explains the differences between rescue and controller medications. The nurse focuses on teaching the family which anti-inflammatory corticosteroid is used to prevent an asthma attack.

A. Cromolyn sodium is a mast cell stabilizer, not a corticosteroid. It is used for preventing asthma symptoms, but it is not a corticosteroid and is less commonly used now. B. Levalbuterol is a short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) and used as a rescue medication, not for long-term prevention. C. Terbutaline is a beta-2 agonist and may be used for rescue or emergency use, especially in status asthmaticus, but not a corticosteroid or daily controller. D. Budesonide (Pulmicort) is an inhaled corticosteroid used regularly as a controller medication to prevent asthma attacks by reducing airway inflammation. It is not used for acute relief, but rather for long-term management of asthma.