NAPLEX (North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination) Practice Exam

Which asthma medication step involves using a rescue and maintenance inhaler on most days or waking at night greater than or equal to once per week?

1. Step 1

2. Step 2

3. Step 3

4. Step 4

The correct answer is: Step 3

In asthma management, step 3 involves using a rescue inhaler for symptomatic relief and a maintenance inhaler on most days or waking at night due to asthma symptoms at least once per week. At this step, inhaled corticosteroids plus a long-acting beta-agonist are typically recommended to control asthma symptoms and reduce the risk of exacerbations. This step signifies that the asthma is not well-controlled with just low-dose inhaled corticosteroids (Step 2), necessitating the addition of a long-acting beta-agonist. Steps 1 and 2 involve using medication only when needed (i.e., rescue inhaler) or low-dose inhaled corticosteroids, respectively, while Step 4 indicates that additional medications are required due to uncontrolled asthma symptoms.