What is the primary action of albuterol?

The primary action of albuterol is that it serves as a bronchodilator. This means that it works by relaxing the muscles of the airways, leading to an expansion of the bronchial passages. Albuterol is commonly used to treat conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), where airway constriction makes breathing difficult. By opening the airways, albuterol increases airflow to the lungs, thereby alleviating symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, and coughing.

In contrast, the other options refer to different classes of medications that serve different purposes. Antihistamines are primarily used to relieve allergy symptoms by blocking the effects of histamine. Corticosteroids reduce inflammation and are often used for chronic inflammatory conditions but do not provide the immediate bronchodilation that albuterol does. Expectants help loosen mucus in the airways to facilitate easier coughing but do not act specifically to dilate the bronchi. Thus, recognizing albuterol's role as a bronchodilator is crucial for understanding how it assists patients with respiratory distress.