A 10-year-old child admitted to the emergency room with an acute asthmatic episode has received 3 aerosolized bronchodilator treatments and a dose of solu-mederol, IV. Auscultation prior to any treatment revealed inaudible breath sounds. Current auscultation reveals diminished breath sounds with expiratory wheezing. The therapist should conclude the bronchospasm is

A. worsening
B. unchanged
C. no longer present
D. improving

Answer: D. The presence of wheezing, after initially auscultating absence of breath sounds, is considered an improvement. This is because at least some air movement is required to emit a wheezing sound.