For a child experiencing wheezing, which medication is typically administered first?

In the case of a child experiencing wheezing, the first line of medication typically administered is a bronchodilator. Wheezing is often a sign of bronchoconstriction, commonly seen in conditions such as asthma or other reactive airway diseases. Bronchodilators work by relaxing the muscles around the airways, thereby opening them up and facilitating easier breathing.

Short-acting bronchodilators, such as albuterol, are frequently used as rescue medications to quickly relieve wheezing and respiratory distress. This rapid onset of action helps to improve airflow, reduce work of breathing, and alleviate symptoms effectively.

The other options, while potentially useful in specific situations or phases of treatment, do not address the immediate need to relieve bronchospasm associated with wheezing. Oral corticosteroids might be used later for their anti-inflammatory effects in cases of more severe or persistent asthma exacerbations. Antihistamines can be helpful in cases where wheezing is linked to allergic reactions but are not the first-line treatment for wheezing due to bronchoconstriction. Antibiotics are only indicated if there is a bacterial infection that may accompany respiratory symptoms, which is not typical in acute wheezing scenarios. Thus, the choice of a bronchodilator as the first medication is