A patient with asthma in the postanesthesia care unit develops wheezing and reduced oxygen saturation. What should the nurse administer to prevent further pulmonary complications?

In this scenario, administering bronchodilators is the most appropriate intervention for a patient with asthma who is experiencing wheezing and reduced oxygen saturation. Bronchodilators work by relaxing and opening the airways, which helps to relieve bronchospasm and improve airflow in the lungs. This is particularly important in managing asthma exacerbations, where airway constriction is a primary concern. By alleviating wheezing and promoting better oxygenation, bronchodilators directly address the underlying issue of airway obstruction, thereby preventing further pulmonary complications.

While oxygen therapy could provide immediate supplemental oxygen to improve saturation levels, it does not address the root cause of the wheezing or bronchospasm. In this case, simply providing oxygen without treating the airway constriction might not be sufficient for the patient's respiratory distress. Antibiotics, although useful for treating infections, are not applicable here since wheezing and low oxygen levels do not necessarily indicate an infection in the immediate postoperative context. Pain medication can also be important for managing postoperative discomfort, but it does not have any effect on the bronchospasm or wheezing that the patient is experiencing.

Thus, bronchodilators are the primary treatment for alleviating the patient's acute respiratory distress related to their asthma.