What is an expected outcome of appropriate bronchodilator therapy in asthma patients?

The expected outcome of appropriate bronchodilator therapy in asthma patients is decreased wheezing and improved airflow. Bronchodilators work by relaxing the muscles around the airways, which helps to open them up and make it easier for air to flow in and out of the lungs. This relief from airway constriction typically results in a reduction or elimination of wheezing, which is a high-pitched whistling sound made during breathing when air passes through narrowed airways. Additionally, the improvement in airflow allows for more effective gas exchange, leading to better overall respiratory function.

The other options describe outcomes that are either not directly associated with bronchodilator therapy or are not typically expected. For example, decreased heart rate is not a primary therapeutic goal of bronchodilators and can vary based on the specific patient and the medication used. Increased coughing is not a desired or expected response to bronchodilator therapy; rather, these medications are intended to reduce coughing by alleviating airway obstruction. Improved oxygen saturation usually results from effective treatment but should not be expected solely from bronchodilator use without other interventions or medications, especially during acute exacerbations.