Asthma

Question 1

How do you treat Mild/Moderate Asthma?

Answer 1

• Follow patient’s action plan.
• Administer Bronchodilators (5mg salbutamol, 0.5mg ipratropium).
• Administer oral steriod (40mg prednisone for adult).
• Consider non-transport if patient improves with MDI and only no bronchodilators are used (EMT only).

Question 2

How do you treat Severe Asthma?

Answer 2

• Call ICP Backup.
• Administer bronchodilators (5mg continuous salbutamol, 0.5mg ipratropium).
• Administer 0.5mg adrenaline (adult), repeat if needed after 10 mins.
• Transport without delay, LATER.
• Oral steroid is not priority, but can be administered.

Question 3

What is Asthma?

Answer 3

Inflammatory state within the lungs resulting in breathlessness and wheezing.
It is reversible bronchospasm.

Question 4

What are the signs of mild/moderate asthma?

Answer 4

• Shortness of Breath.
• Still speaking in sentences.
• Loud wheezing.
• Normal SPO2.
• Normal LOC.

Question 5

What are the signs of severe asthma?

Answer 5

• Very short of breath.
• Few words per breath.
• Quiet wheeze.
• Indrawing.
• Tripod position.
• Agitated.
• SPO2 < 90%

Question 6

What are the signs of life threatening asthma?

Answer 6

• Extreme shortness of breath.
• Unable to speak.
• No wheeze.
• Indrawing.
• Rapidly falling SPO2.
• Severe agitation.
• Falling LOC.