asthmatic attack
Start with the big picture
Suspect acute asthma when sudden wheeze, dyspnea, and chest tightness persist despite the usual reliever inhaler. Severity assessment considers peak expiratory flow, oxygen saturation, respiratory and heart rates, and signs such as a silent chest. Initial care includes sitting the patient upright, removing triggers, and supporting oxygenation, followed by inhaled bronchodilator treatment and early systemic corticosteroids. The lesson also addresses additional treatment for more severe attacks, medications to avoid, and monitoring for deterioration. A poor response or signs such as exhaustion, altered mental state, rising carbon dioxide, or persistent hypoxia may require critical-care escalation. Safe care continues beyond stabilization, with discharge criteria, post-acute treatment, education, and timely follow-up.
What you'll learn
- Recognize features that suggest an acute asthma attack.
- Identify clinical measures and signs used to assess attack severity.
- Outline immediate supportive care and the main medication steps.
- Describe warning signs that may prompt escalation to intensive care or intubation.
- Summarize discharge planning and follow-up after an acute attack.
Continue your study
Work through the complete notes and reinforce the topic with the study tools available in the full lesson.
