Passmedicine Respiratory

Question 1

Acute asthma features?

Answer 1

Worsening dyspnoea, wheeze and cough that is not responding to salbutamol
Maybe triggered by a respiratory tract infection

Question 2

What classifies as moderate asthma?

Answer 2

PEFR 50-75% best or predicted
Speech normal
RR < 25 / min
Pulse < 110 bpm

Question 3

What classifies as severe asthma?

Answer 3

PEFR 33 - 50% best or predicted
Can’t complete sentences
RR > 25/min
Pulse > 110 bpm

Question 4

What classifies as life threatening asthma?

Answer 4

PEFR < 33% best or predicted
Oxygen sats < 92%
Silent chest, cyanosis or feeble respiratory effort
Bradycardia, dysrhythmia or hypotension
Exhaustion, confusion or coma

Question 5

What is the management for severe asthma?

Answer 5

Admit people with any feature of a severe asthma attack persisting after initial bronchodilator treatment.

Question 6

What is the management for life threatening asthma?

Answer 6

Admit all people with features of a life-threatening asthma exacerbation.

Question 7

What is the management for moderate asthma?

Answer 7

Admit people with a moderate asthma exacerbation with worsening symptoms despite initial bronchodilator treatment and/or who have had a previous near-fatal asthma attack