Question

A 68-year-old ex-smoker with GOLD stage II COPD has frequent exacerbations (three in the last year) despite being on a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) alone. He has no history of asthma. What is the best next step in pharmacologic management?

Accepted Answer

Add a long-acting beta-agonist (LABA) to create LAMA/LABA dual therapy

Answer

Continue LAMA monotherapy and add short-acting beta-agonist only

Answer

Switch from LAMA to short-acting bronchodilators alone

Answer

Start inhaled corticosteroid monotherapy

Answer

Stop inhaled therapy and start chronic oral prednisone

Practice question

A 68-year-old ex-smoker with GOLD stage II COPD has frequent exacerbations (three in the last year) despite being on a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) alone. He has no history of asthma. What is the best next step in pharmacologic management?