Which of the following is a short-acting bronchodilator recommended for patients with COPD or chronic bronchiectasis?

Albuterol is a short-acting bronchodilator that is commonly used for the management of conditions like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and chronic bronchiectasis. It acts quickly, typically within minutes, to relieve bronchospasm by relaxing the muscles around the airways, making it particularly effective for acute symptoms or as a rescue inhaler.

In contrast, other options like tiotropium and salmeterol are classified as long-acting bronchodilators; they are generally used for maintenance therapy rather than immediate relief. Tiotropium is an anticholinergic agent that provides long-term control by managing airflow obstruction, and salmeterol is a long-acting beta-agonist that is also used for chronic management and not for rapid relief of symptoms. Formoterol, while technically a short-acting bronchodilator, is commonly regarded as long-acting due to its duration of effect and is used similarly to salmeterol.

In the context of COPD and chronic bronchiectasis where rapid relief from bronchospasm is necessary, albuterol’s quick onset and effectiveness make it the preferred choice for immediate symptom management.