Acute Asthma Attack

Question 1

What are the clinical features of a severe asthma episode?

Answer 1

• Incomplete sentences
• HR > 110
• RR > 25

PEFR < 50% of best

Question 2

What are the clinical features of a life-threatening asthma episode?

(MM 33 92 CHEST)

Answer 2

33% PEFR of patient best
92% Sats

Cyanosis
Hypotension
Exhaustion
Silemt chest
Tachycardia

• Altered GCS
• Arrhythmia

Question 3

What are the clinical features of near-fatal asthma episode?

Answer 3

CO2 Retention (CALL ICU)

Question 4

What is the management of acute exacerbation?

MM: O SHIT ME

Answer 4

Oxygen (sit-up) - 15L/min non-rebreather

Salbutamol (neb) - back to back
Hydrocortisone (IV) / Prednisolone (oral)
Ipratropium (neb) (4-6 hourly)
Theophylline (senior input)

Magnesium sulphate (one off before theo)
Escalate (ICU)