Choice A rationale This statement is incorrect because montelukast for a preschool-age child is specifically prescribed in a chewable tablet form to ensure safe administration and proper absorption. Swallowing a chewable tablet whole can lead to choking hazards in young children and may alter the intended pharmacokinetic profile of the drug. The medication is typically administered once daily in the evening to achieve peak therapeutic levels during the night when asthma symptoms often worsen. Choice B rationale This statement is incorrect because the absorption of montelukast is not significantly affected by the presence of food in the gastrointestinal tract. While it can be taken with or without food, the primary instruction centers on the timing of the dose rather than its association with meals. Instructing a parent that it must be taken with food creates an unnecessary restriction that does not impact the scientific efficacy or the bioavailability of the leukotriene receptor antagonist. Choice C rationale This statement is correct because montelukast is a leukotriene receptor antagonist used for the long-term prophylaxis and treatment of chronic asthma. It is not a rapid-acting bronchodilator. Scientifically, it works by blocking inflammatory mediators, and it typically requires several days to a few weeks of consistent daily use to achieve a steady state in the body and provide a noticeable reduction in airway hyperresponsiveness and overall inflammation levels for the pediatric patient. Choice D rationale This statement is incorrect because montelukast is categorized as a controller medication rather than a rescue medication. During an acute asthma exacerbation, the pathophysiology involves rapid bronchoconstriction that requires immediate reversal with short-acting beta-agonists like albuterol. Giving montelukast at the start of an attack is ineffective because its mechanism of action involves inhibiting the inflammatory cascade over time, which is too slow to manage the immediate physiological emergency of an acute airway obstruction.