Asthma Attack Flashcards
1
Q
define asthma exacerbation
A
an acute episode of worsening asthma
2
Q
clinical features of an acute asthma exacerbation
A
dyspnoea coughing difficulty breathing wheeze chest tightness
3
Q
characteristics of a moderate asthma attack
A
increasing symptoms
PEF > 50-75%
NO severe asthma features
4
Q
characteristics of a severe asthma attack
A
PEF 33-50%
RR > 25
HR > 110
inability to complete a sentence
5
Q
characteristics of a life-threatening asthma attack
A
PEF < 33% O2 < 92% cyanosis hypotension exhausation silent chest tachyarrhythmias
6
Q
management of moderate-severe asthma attacks
A
sit patient upright provide 100% O2 non-rebreathable mask nebulised salbutamol nebulised ipratropium hydrocortisone (100mg IV) or prednisolone (50mg PO)
7
Q
management of life-threatening asthma attack
A
inform ICU
IV magnesium sulphate (2g IV) for 20 minutes
nebulised salbutamol every 15mins
8
Q
additional steps of life-threatening attack if no improvement
A
nebulised salbutamol
ipratropium 0.5g 4-6hrs
consider aminophylline
ITU transfer
9
Q
indications of near-fatal asthma
A
high PCO2 >7.2
requires ICU admission
