Asthma Managmenr Flashcards
What are the classifications of asthma severity?
Mild, Moderate, Severe, Life-Threatening
Asthma severity is assessed based on symptoms, PEFR, and other clinical features.
What are the symptoms of mild asthma?
Breathlessness only on exertion, no significant limitation in activity
PEFR for mild asthma is ≥75% predicted.
What is the PEFR range for moderate asthma?
50–75% predicted
Symptoms include breathlessness at rest and difficulty speaking in sentences.
What are the clinical features of severe asthma?
Inability to complete sentences in one breath, RR ≥25/min, HR ≥110/min, accessory muscle use, loud wheezing
PEFR for severe asthma is 33–50% predicted.
What symptoms indicate life-threatening asthma?
Silent chest, cyanosis, confusion, or drowsiness
PEFR is <33% predicted or unable to perform PEFR.
What initial steps should be taken in acute asthma management?
Assess severity, sit patient upright, provide reassurance, high-flow oxygen if SpO₂ <94%
Aim for SpO₂ between 94–98%.
What is the treatment for mild asthma in acute management?
Short-acting beta-agonist (SABA): Salbutamol 5 mg via nebulizer or 4–10 puffs via spacer
Repeat every 20 minutes if needed in the first hour.
What corticosteroid is used for acute asthma management?
Oral prednisolone: 40–50 mg once daily for 5 days
If unable to take orally, give IV hydrocortisone 100 mg every 6 hours.
What is the dosage of Ipratropium bromide for severe or life-threatening cases?
0.5 mg via nebulizer every 4–6 hours
Used for severe or life-threatening asthma cases.
What is the dosage of magnesium sulfate for life-threatening or refractory cases?
1.2–2 g IV over 20 minutes
Administered in severe asthma cases that do not respond to initial treatment.
What monitoring is required during acute asthma management?
Continuous SpO₂ monitoring, measure PEFR every 15–30 minutes
Essential to track patient status during treatment.
What follow-up is recommended post-crisis in asthma management?
Arrange follow-up with GP or specialist within 48 hours
Important for optimizing long-term management.
Fill in the blank: The PEFR for mild asthma is _______.
≥75% predicted
True or False: In severe asthma, the respiratory rate is less than 20/min.
False
Severe asthma features a respiratory rate (RR) ≥25/min.
What are the symptoms of moderate asthma?
Breathlessness at rest, difficulty speaking in sentences
PEFR is 50–75% predicted.
What does the asthma severity mnemonic ‘Mild Makes Silence Loud’ represent?
Severity levels of asthma: Mild, Moderate, Severe, Life-Threatening
Each level is defined by specific symptoms and PEFR ranges.
What are the symptoms and PEFR range for Mild asthma?
Breathlessness only on exertion, PEFR ≥75%
PEFR stands for Peak Expiratory Flow Rate.
What are the symptoms and PEFR range for Moderate asthma?
Can’t speak full sentences, PEFR 50–75%
Indicates a significant impact on daily activities.
What are the symptoms and PEFR range for Severe asthma?
Incomplete sentences, PEFR 33–50%, RR ≥25, HR ≥110
RR is Respiratory Rate and HR is Heart Rate.
What are the symptoms and PEFR range for Life-Threatening asthma?
Silent chest, PEFR <33%, SpO₂ <92%, confusion, cyanosis
SpO₂ refers to peripheral oxygen saturation.
What is the first step in asthma acute management?
Assess & Stabilize
This involves positioning the patient and administering oxygen.
What is the recommended position for a patient during asthma management?
Sit patient upright, calm them
This helps facilitate breathing.
What oxygen saturation level indicates the need for high-flow oxygen?
If SpO₂ <94%
Aim for SpO₂ levels between 94–98%.
What does the mnemonic ‘SOS IM’ stand for in asthma treatment?
S: Salbutamol, O: Oxygen, S: Steroids, I: Ipratropium, M: Magnesium sulfate
Represents the order of treatment steps.
What is the dosage and method for administering Salbutamol in asthma management?
5 mg nebulized (or 4–10 puffs via spacer), repeat every 20 minutes in the first hour
Salbutamol is a bronchodilator.
What are the steroid options for asthma treatment?
- Prednisolone 40–50 mg orally
- IV hydrocortisone 100 mg if unable to take orally
Steroids help reduce inflammation.
What is the dosage for Ipratropium in severe or life-threatening asthma cases?
0.5 mg nebulized
Ipratropium is an anticholinergic bronchodilator.
What is the dosage for Magnesium sulfate in life-threatening or unresponsive asthma cases?
IV 1.2–2 g over 20 minutes
Magnesium sulfate helps relax bronchial muscles.
What should be done during the Reassess step of asthma management?
Check response to treatment with PEFR and symptoms every 15–30 minutes
Escalate treatment if no improvement.
What does the post-crisis management mnemonic ‘PRN Care’ represent?
- P: Prednisolone
- R: Review inhaler technique and adherence
- N: Next follow-up
- Care: Education on triggers and action plan
This mnemonic outlines steps after an asthma crisis.
What is the follow-up recommendation after an asthma crisis?
Next follow-up within 48 hours
Important for monitoring patient recovery.
Fill in the blank: The PEFR range for Mild asthma is _______.
≥75%
Indicates that breathing is fine for most activities.
Fill in the blank: The PEFR range for Life-Threatening asthma is _______.
<33%
Indicates a critical situation requiring immediate intervention.
True or False: A PEFR of 50-75% indicates Severe asthma.
False
A PEFR of 50-75% indicates Moderate asthma.
What should be done if a patient shows no improvement after initial treatment?
Escalate treatment: Aminophylline or IV salbutamol
This may require ICU care.
