An asthmatic 10-year-old boy uses a rescue inhaler once a week for symptoms. What should be the most appropriate next step in his asthma management?

In the case of the 10-year-old asthmatic boy using a rescue inhaler (like albuterol) once a week, this reflects a level of asthma control that is not optimal. According to asthma management guidelines, the frequency of rescue inhaler use is an important indicator of asthma control. The fact that he needs a rescue inhaler weekly suggests his asthma is not well controlled.

Introducing daily inhaled corticosteroids is the most appropriate next step in his asthma management. Inhaled corticosteroids work as a long-term control medication to reduce inflammation and prevent asthma symptoms. They are the cornerstone of asthma management for individuals with persistent asthma, which can include frequent nighttime symptoms, daily symptoms, or the need for rescue medication more than twice a month.

Increasing the albuterol dosage would not be a beneficial long-term strategy, as albuterol is meant for immediate relief of symptoms and does not address the underlying inflammation. Continuing the current treatment would not improve his situation, given that he requires weekly use of rescue medication. Scheduling further pulmonary function tests might provide more information on lung function but would not directly address the need for better asthma control in this scenario. Thus, starting daily inhaled corticosteroids represents the appropriate move towards achieving better management of his condition.