Acute Asthma Management

Question 1

What is important to assess when approaching acute asthma?

Answer 1

Respiratory rate
Work of breathing
Heart rate
Oxygen saturations
Ability to complete sentences
Confusion - due to hypoxia
Air entry - silent chest mark significant constriction

Question 2

What is step 1 when treating acute asthma?

Answer 2

Start treatment and reassess in 1 hour

Step up or down as appropriate

Question 3

How does use of steroids change in acute and chronic asthma?

Answer 3

Chronic/ maintenance treatment =inhaled steroids (not oral steroids)

Acute treatment =oral steroids(not inhaled steroids)

Question 4

What is the treatment for a mild acute asthma?

Answer 4

SABA via spacer

SABA via spacer and prednisolone

Question 5

What is the treatment for a moderate acute asthma?

Answer 5

SABA via nebuliser and prednisolone
SABA + ipra via nebuliser and prednisolone

ipra - ipratropium brominde (muscarinic antagonist)
Salbutamol - SABA

Question 6

What is the treatment for a severe acute asthma?

Answer 6

SPECIALS - uncommon

IV salbutamol
IV aminophylline
IV magnesium (neb)
IV hydrocortisone

Intubate and ventilate