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Mild persistent asthma — USMLE Step 3 MCQ

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EasyAmbulatory Medicine / Primary CareMild persistent asthmaUSMLE Step 3

A 29-year-old woman has episodic wheezing and cough twice weekly, with nighttime symptoms twice monthly. Peak flow improves from 360 L/min to 430 L/min after albuterol. She has no prior hospitalizations and is not using controller therapy. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

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Correct answer: B — Start low-dose inhaled corticosteroid-containing controller therapy

Recurrent asthma symptoms warrant inhaled corticosteroid-containing controller therapy to reduce exacerbation risk.

Reference: GINA asthma strategy; NHLBI asthma updates