For a 4-year-old child wheezing with a respiratory rate of 40 and SpO₂ at 94% on room air, what is the first-line treatment?

The correct choice of administering an albuterol nebulizer at a dose of 2.5 mg is based on the need to relieve bronchospasm associated with wheezing, which is often indicative of conditions such as asthma or reactive airway disease in pediatric patients. Albuterol is a beta-agonist that works by relaxing the muscles around the airways, leading to dilation and improved airflow.

In a case involving a 4-year-old with wheezing, a respiratory rate of 40, and an SpO₂ of 94%, the priority is to address the immediate symptoms of respiratory distress. Administering albuterol targets the underlying bronchoconstriction and can provide rapid relief. This makes it the first-line treatment in an acute setting, especially when the child is alert and does not show signs of severe respiratory distress or hypoxia that would warrant more invasive interventions.

The other options do not provide the immediate relief that albuterol does. For instance, while corticosteroids can be important in managing inflammation over time, they do not act quickly enough to address acute wheezing. Continuous monitoring is essential in a clinical setting but does not treat the underlying issue. Considering intubation would only be appropriate for a child in severe respiratory distress with impending failure, which