1(E): Asthma Attack Flashcards
What is an asthma attack
Acute exacerbation of asthma
What individuals are at risk of asthma attack
- Frequent SABA use
- Admission to hospital in past year with asthma
- Three or more classes of asthma medication
- Previous near-fatal asthma
How are asthma attacks divided
- Moderate
- Acute-severe
- Life threatening
- Near Fatal
What are the two features of a moderate asthma attack
- Increasing symptoms
- PEF: 50-75
What are the four features of acute severe asthma attack
- PEF 33-50
- HR >100
- RR >25
- Unable to complete sentences in one breath
What are the criteria for a life-threatening asthma attack
Clinical:
- Silent Chest
- Cyanosis
- Exhaustion
- Decrease consciousness
- Arrhythmias
- Hypotension
Measurements:
- PEF less than 33
- SpO2 < 92
- PaO2 < 8
What are the criteria for a near-fatal asthma attack
Increase in PCO2
Requires mechanical ventilation
What severity of asthma attack requires referral to hospital
Acute-severe and worse
What is first-line assessing asthma attack
Assess severity
-
What is given first in an asthma attack
15L Oxygen via non-rebreathe mask
What medication is given first in an asthma attack
Nebulised Salbutamol
What dose of salbutamol is given
2.5-5mg Neb
When can salbutamol be repeated
15-30m
What is second line medication given with salbutamol
Ipratropium bromide
What dose of ipratropium bromide is given
500mcg Neb
