A 26-year-old woman with known asthma presents to the emergency department with shortness of breath and wheeze after a viral illness. She is speaking ...

Question

A 26-year-old woman with known asthma presents to the emergency department with shortness of breath and wheeze after a viral illness. She is speaking in phrases, respiratory rate 24 breaths/min, heart rate 105 beats/min, oxygen saturation 95% on room air and peak expiratory flow 65% of predicted. What is the most appropriate initial pharmacological management?

Accepted Answer

Inhaled salbutamol via spacer plus a short course of oral prednisolone

Answer

Intravenous salbutamol infusion

Answer

Subcutaneous adrenaline 0.5 mg

Answer

Nebulised ipratropium bromide alone

Answer

Commence maintenance inhaled corticosteroid only

au-amc MCQ (SBA): Acute asthma exacerbation (adult)