During an acute asthma attack in a client with asthma, what medication should the nurse administer first?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Short-acting beta agonist. During an acute asthma attack, the priority is to quickly relieve bronchoconstriction and improve airflow. Short-acting beta agonists like albuterol are the first-line medications for acute asthma exacerbations as they act rapidly to relax smooth muscles in the airways, providing immediate relief of symptoms. Oral corticosteroids (A) are important for long-term management but do not provide immediate relief. Leukotriene receptor antagonists (C) and long-acting beta agonists (D) are not appropriate for acute asthma attacks as they have slower onset of action and are used for maintenance therapy.