Signs and Symptoms

Question 1

What are the signs and symptoms of mild/moderate asthma?

Answer 1

• Can walk, speak whole sentences in one breath (for young children can move around and speak in phrases)
• SpO2% > 94% room air
• Pulse rate < 100/min Adult and Paed
• PEFR >75% of predicted Adult and > 60% Paed of predicted or best (if known) or cannot be performed

Question 2

What are the signs and symptoms of severe asthma?

Answer 2

• Unable to complete sentences in one breath due to dyspnoea
• SpO2% 90-94% room air
• Pulse rate 100-120/min Adult and 100-200/min Paed
• Accessory muscle use or ‘tracheal tug’ during inspiration or subcostal recession (abdominal breathing)
• Obvious respiratory distress
• PEFR 50-75% Adult and 40-60% Paed of predicted or best (if known) or cannot be performed

Question 3

What are the signs and symptoms of life-threatening asthma?

Answer 3

• Talks in words
• SpO2% <90% room air
• Pulse rate > 120/min Adult and > 200/min Paed (bradycardia present when respiratory arrest is imminent)
• Poor respiratory effort, soft/absent breath sounds
• Reduced consciousness or collapse
• Exhaustion/agitation
• Cyanosis
• PEFR <50% Adult and < 40% Paed of predicted or best (if known) or cannot be performed

Question 4

What are the signs and symptoms of anayphylaxis?

Answer 4

Any ONE or MORE of the following:
* Persistent dizziness or collapse
* Pale and floppy (young children)
* Swelling of the tongue
* Swelling/tightness in the throat
* Difficulty talking/hoarse voice
* Difficult/noisy breathing
* Wheeze or persistent cough
* Persistent abdo pain and vomiting after exposure to a likely allergen (including injected medications and insect bites/stings)

Question 5

What are the signs and symptoms of mild to moderate allergic reaction?

Answer 5

• Swelling of lips, face, eyes
• Tingling mouth
• Hives or welts
• Transient, resolving or active vomiting
• Abdominal pain

If in doubt treat as anaphylaxis

Question 6

What are the signs and symptoms of anayphylaxis?

Answer 6

Any ONE or MORE of the following:
* Persistent dizziness or collapse
* Pale and floppy (young children)
* Swelling of the tongue
* Swelling/tightness in the throat
* Difficulty talking/hoarse voice
* Difficult/noisy breathing
* Wheeze or persistent cough
* Persistent abdo pain and vomiting after exposure to a likely allergen (including injected medications and insect bites/stings)