During asthma treatment, which condition would warrant increasing the dose of bronchodilators?

• A. Hypoxemia
• B. Wheezing despite current therapy
• C. Stable lung function tests
• D. Patient-Reported Improvement

Answer: (B)

Increasing the dose of bronchodilators during asthma treatment is warranted when a patient continues to experience wheezing despite current therapy. Wheezing is a common manifestation of bronchoconstriction, indicating that the airways are still constricted, which could show that the current medication regimen is insufficient. In such situations, a higher dose of bronchodilators may be necessary to help relax the airway muscles and alleviate symptoms, leading to improved airflow and relief from wheezing.

In contrast, hypoxemia, stable lung function tests, and patient-reported improvement suggest that the current treatment regimen is adequately controlling the patient's asthma. Hypoxemia indicates low oxygen levels, which could require immediate interventions, but it does not directly imply the need to increase bronchodilator dosage. Stable lung function tests would also suggest that the disease is well-controlled, thereby not necessitating an increase in medication. Lastly, if a patient reports improvement, it typically signals that the current dose is effective, and increasing it may not be necessary. Therefore, the condition that specifically indicates the need to increase bronchodilator dosage is persistent wheezing despite existing therapy.