Asthma DRABCDE

Question 1

Asthma - Response

Answer 1

• Exhaustion (Life threatening)
• ALOC (Life threatening)

If any acute-severe, life threatening symptoms present, the symptoms would need to be managed straight away (see section 2)

Question 2

Asthma - Airway

Answer 2

Should be clear

Stridor or swelling may indicate anaphylaxis differential

Question 3

Asthma - Breathing

Answer 3

-PEF
o Moderate = >50-75 expected/predicted
o Acute severe = 33-50% expected/predicted
o Life threatening = 25 = severe)
Wheeze (inspiratory = worse)
-Cyanosis (life threatening)
-Silent chest (life threatening)
-Poor respiratory effort (life threatening)
-SpO2 ETCO2 (life threatening)
-Requiring manual ventilation with raised inflation pressures (near-fatal)

If any acute-severe, life threatening symptoms present, the symptoms would need to be managed straight away (see section 2)

Question 4

Asthma - Circulation

Answer 4

• Tachycardia (>110/min = severe)
• Arrhythmias (life threatening)
• Hypotension (life-threatening)

If any acute-severe, life threatening symptoms present, the symptoms would need to be managed straight away (see section 2)

Question 5

Asthma - Disability

Question 6

Asthma - Expose

Answer 6

Expose the chest to ensure no other causes for presentation

Question 7

Asthma - DRABCDE conclusion

Answer 7

From my DRABCDE I have been able to increase my index of suspicion that this is indeed asthma.