A 30-year-old woman with known asthma presents with severe breathlessness. She is unable to complete sentences, respiratory rate 34/min, heart rate 13...

Question

A 30-year-old woman with known asthma presents with severe breathlessness. She is unable to complete sentences, respiratory rate 34/min, heart rate 130/min, PEFR 20% predicted and silent chest on auscultation. What is the most appropriate next step?

Accepted Answer

Recognise life-threatening asthma, call for immediate senior and anaesthetic help and start high-flow oxygen, nebulised bronchodilators and IV access

Answer

Treat as mild asthma with inhaled Salbutamol only

Answer

Give high-dose inhaled steroid and discharge

Answer

Give oral antibiotics for presumed chest infection

Answer

Arrange routine outpatient review

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

A 30-year-old woman with known asthma presents with severe breathlessness. She is unable to complete sentences, respiratory rate 34/min, heart rate 130/min, PEFR 20% predicted and silent chest on auscultation. What is the most appropriate next step?