Status Asthamaticus

Question 1

What is the evaluation of the patient with status asthmaticus?

Answer 1

1. wheezing means air is still moving
2. diminished wheezing with absent breath sounds= silent chest. THIS IS BAD
3. you want patient to have SaO2 >90, PaO2 >60, RR <30, and no use of their accessory muscles

Question 2

What medications can be given for treatment of asthma?

Answer 2

give albuterol first to open airway up, then ipratropium, glucocorticocoids, epinephrine, oxygen and IV fluids

Question 3

If all interventions and medications do not work to stop status athmaticus, what is the next step that needs to be done?

Answer 3

INTUBATE if interventions do not work