Asthma USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 14-year-old boy with persistent allergic asthma is started on daily inhaled budesonide plus albuterol rescue inhaler. One month later, he presents with white plaques on the tongue that scrape off easily, leaving red mucosa beneath. Vital signs: BP 118/76, HR 88, RR 16, temp 37.2°C, SpO2 98% on room air. Oral candida culture is positive. He denies dysphagia. Which counseling point would most likely have prevented this complication?
Answer choices
- AUse the inhaler with ibuprofen to reduce inflammation
- BAdd dextromethorphan before bedtime
- CRinse the mouth after each inhaled doseCorrect answer
- DTake the medication only before exercise
- ETake the medication with vitamin B6
- FSwitch to a dry powder inhaler to reduce oropharyngeal corticosteroid deposition
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