What should you do for a swimmer having an asthma attack after helping them exit the pool?

What should you do for a swimmer having an asthma attack after helping them exit the pool?

• A. Encourage the swimmer to walk around
• B. Help the swimmer take prescribed asthma medication
• C. Give the swimmer a glass of warm water
• D. Check for other injuries

Answer: (B)

When a swimmer is experiencing an asthma attack, it's crucial to address the situation with the appropriate medical response. Helping the swimmer take their prescribed asthma medication is the best course of action because this medication is designed to alleviate asthma symptoms by relaxing the airways and making it easier to breathe. This is a critical immediate response that can significantly improve the swimmer's condition and prevent further complications. Encouraging the swimmer to walk around may not help in alleviating the attack and could potentially exacerbate their condition due to increased exertion. Providing warm water does not address the need for bronchodilation that is urgent during an asthma attack, and checking for other injuries may be necessary only after ensuring that the primary issue—breathing difficulty—is being managed effectively with medication. Therefore, administering the asthma medication directly is the most effective and appropriate action in this scenario.

When a swimmer is experiencing an asthma attack, it's crucial to address the situation with the appropriate medical response. Helping the swimmer take their prescribed asthma medication is the best course of action because this medication is designed to alleviate asthma symptoms by relaxing the airways and making it easier to breathe. This is a critical immediate response that can significantly improve the swimmer's condition and prevent further complications.

Encouraging the swimmer to walk around may not help in alleviating the attack and could potentially exacerbate their condition due to increased exertion. Providing warm water does not address the need for bronchodilation that is urgent during an asthma attack, and checking for other injuries may be necessary only after ensuring that the primary issue—breathing difficulty—is being managed effectively with medication. Therefore, administering the asthma medication directly is the most effective and appropriate action in this scenario.