Acute asthma- adults

increasing symptoms peak flow is > 50-75 % of the best predicted no features of acute or severe asthma Undertake an assessment noting the following points note the patient's degree of agitation and consciousness signs of exhaustion ( inability to complete sentences ) cyanosis use of accessory muscles of respiration auscultate the chest and note down RR , pulse , BP , oxygen saturation use the best of 3 recordings to measure PEFR value

first-line treatment is high dose inhaled beta2 agonist like salbutamol ○ for e.g 4 puffs initially followed by 2 puffs / 2 mins according to response upto 10 puffs a pressurized metered dose inhaler and spacer can be used prescribe an adequate dose of oral corticosteroid in all cases of acute asthma- continue ( @ 40-50 mg/ day ) until recovery with a minimum of 5 days therapy ) prescribe antibiotic only if symptoms and signs suggest bacterial infection nebulised ipratropium bromide may be combined with a nebulised beta 2 agonist ( for those with severe or life-threatening acute asthma or in those with poor initial response to beta2 agonist therapy ) to provide greater bronchodilatation

the episode may have happened due to a failure of...