Categorising Acute Asthma Attacks

Question 1

What level is the ability to speak in a moderate asthma attack(AA)?

Answer 1

Able to speak and complete sentences.

Question 2

What is the HR and RR for someone having a moderate AA?

Answer 2

HR<110

RR<25

Question 3

What is the PEF (peak expiratory flow) of someone who is having a moderate AA?

Answer 3

50-75% of their best or predicted

Question 4

What are the oxygen saturation level and oxygen partial pressure in a moderate asthma attack?

Answer 4

SaO2>92%

PaO2>8kPa

Question 5

What is the HR and RR of someone having a severe AA?

Answer 5

HR>110

RR>25

Question 6

How would you categorise an attack as severe, life threatening or near fatal?

Answer 6

An attack will be categorised as the highest severity that it has any characteristics of.

Question 7

How well is someone having a severe attack able to speak?

Answer 7

They are unable to complete sentences.

Question 8

What is the PEF that defines a severe attack?

Answer 8

33-50% of predicted or best

Question 9

What is the oxygen saturation and partial pressure for a severe attack?

Answer 9

SaO2>92%

PaO2>8kPa

Question 10

What is the state/appearance of someone having a life threatening AA?

Answer 10

Grunting
Impaired consciousness
Confusion
Exhaustion
Cyanosis

Question 11

What HR and PEF define a life threatening attack?

Answer 11

HR>130 or bradycardic

PEF <33% of predicted or best

Question 12

What is the SaO2, PaO2 and PaCO2 of a life threatening attack?

Answer 12

SaO2<92%
PaO2<8kPa
PaCO2 is normal (4.6-6.0 kPa)

Question 13

What is the defining feature of a near fatal asthma attack?

Answer 13

Raised PaCO2 so above 6.0kPa