A 34-year-old woman with known asthma presents with severe breathlessness. She is unable to complete sentences, has a respiratory rate of 34 per minut...

Question

A 34-year-old woman with known asthma presents with severe breathlessness. She is unable to complete sentences, has a respiratory rate of 34 per minute, pulse 132 per minute, and PEF is 20% of best. Her oxygen saturation is 90% on air, and there is a silent chest with no wheeze. What is the single most concerning clinical feature indicating life-threatening asthma?

Accepted Answer

Silent chest with poor air entry

Answer

Peak expiratory flow 20% of best

Answer

Respiratory rate 34 per minute

Answer

Pulse 132 per minute

Answer

Oxygen saturation 90% on air

uk-plab-1 MCQ (SBA): Life-threatening asthma