ASTHMA

Question 1

What are the 2 types of asthma attack

Answer 1

Acute Severe and Life Threatening

Question 2

what is the ABCDE management for an acute severe asthma attack

Answer 2

A - wheezing on expiration (asthmatics find it hard to breathe out than in due to the bronchioles being constricted)
B - increased RR, decreased Sp02, rapid, shallow breaths
C - Tachycardia more than 110 bpm, hypertension, pallor
D - ACVPU - alert but anxious, blood glucose N/A
E - Pale, distressed, use of accessory muscles for breathing, inability to complete sentences in one breath.

Question 3

What is the ABCDE management for a life threatening asthma attack

Answer 3

A - SEVERE wheeze on expiration
B - Decreased RR and effort, severely decreased Sp02 (low 90s/high80s), laboured breathing
C - Decreased HR (brachycardic), exhaustion is kicking in as so much effort is being put into breathing meaning the body is starting to shut itself down, cyanosis present (blue tinge to saturation levels being so low as blood is becoming de-oxygenated)
D - ACVPU - confused due to hypoxia - the brain needs oxygen to survive and if not a sufficient amount, the pt could come across quite confused
E - grey/blue in colour, exhausted, sleepy - worrying signs

Question 4

What is the management of an asthma attack(7)

Answer 4

• SALBUTAMOL inhaler -administer the patients own bronchodilator (2 puffs): if unavailable administer a salbutamol inhaler, 4 puffs (100 micrograms per actuation), through a LARGE VOLUME SPACER, repeat as needed every 10-15 seconds up to 10 times
• call 999 if no improvement after 5 mins from the patient after the administration of salbutamol.
• 15 ltrs/min of oxygen through non-rebreather mask
• plenty of reassurance as pt will be distressed
• sit pt upright and lean forward to OPEN ACCESSOR MUSCLES and aid with frame of mind

Question 5

What do we do if a patient is suffering a severe episode of asthma and does not respond to treatment with bronchodilators within 5 MINS?

Answer 5

REFER TO HOSP AS AN EMERGENCY

Question 6

What is the management for A CHILD who is having an asthma attack

Answer 6

2-17 year OLDS - 1 puff via spacer every 15 seconds (MAX 10 PUFFS) repeat above regime at 10-20 minute intervals as needed.