A 10-year-old child who is 5′ 4″ (138 cm) tall with a history of asthma uses an inhaled bronchodilator only when needed. He/she takes no other medications routinely. His/her best peak expiratory flow...

A 10-year-old child who is 5′ 4″ (138 cm) tall with a history of asthma uses an inhaled bronchodilator only when needed. He/she takes no other medications routinely. His/her best peak expiratory flow rate is 270 L/min. The child's current peak flow reading is 180 L/min. The nurse interprets this reading as indicating which of the following?

1. The child's asthma is under good control, so the routine treatment plan should continue.

2. The child needs to use his/her short-acting inhaled beta2 -agonist medication.

3. This is a medical emergency requiring a trip to the emergency department for treatment.

4. The child needs to use his/her inhaled cromolyn sodium (Intal).