Ahmad, a 36-year-old, is brought to your room by his wife Ibtesam.

He is very breathless and is only able to speak in single words.

Ibtesam tells you he has had asthma for years but she has noticed he has been taking his blue puffer more frequently lately, and for the last few hours he has been using it about every 15-20 minutes.

Question 1

What is your management? The following list of management options are all OK.
Select your preferred first choice then click Next >> to view the author's answer.

a. Take a history.

b. Perform a rapid assessment.

c. Examine the respiratory system.

d. Administer O2 (8 litres/min) and inhaled bronchodilator e.g. salbutamol.

e. Commence steroids (e.g. oral prednisolone 50-100mg start or intravenous (IV) hydrocortisone 250 mg).

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Answer 1

e. Commence steroids (e.g. oral prednisolone 50-100mg stat or intravenous (IV) hydrocortisone 250 mg) - This is the author's 5th choice.

This is the least important point of the list of actions you should take initially. Steroids are indicated but these will not provide the rapid relief required for severe asthma.

 

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