Which should the nurse administer to provide quick relief to a child with asthma who is coughing, wheezing, and having difficulty catching her breath?

A. Montelukast: Montelukast is a leukotriene receptor antagonist used for long-term asthma control and prevention of symptoms. It is not effective for treating acute bronchospasm or providing immediate symptom relief during an asthma attack. B. Fluticasone: Fluticasone is an inhaled corticosteroid used regularly to reduce airway inflammation and prevent asthma symptoms. It does not work quickly enough to relieve acute symptoms like wheezing or shortness of breath. C. Prednisone: Prednisone is a systemic corticosteroid used for moderate to severe asthma exacerbations, but its onset is delayed. It is typically given alongside a short-acting bronchodilator to reduce inflammation over several hours, not for quick relief. D. Albuterol: Albuterol is a short-acting beta₂-agonist that works within minutes to relax bronchial smooth muscles, making it the medication of choice for immediate relief of acute asthma symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and dyspnea.