Question

A 26-year-old woman with known asthma presents with increasing breathlessness and wheeze. She is unable to complete sentences. Observations: respiratory rate 30/min, pulse 120 bpm, oxygen saturation 93% on air, peak expiratory flow 40% of predicted. What is the single most appropriate immediate management?

Accepted Answer

High-flow oxygen, repeated nebulised Salbutamol driven by oxygen and oral Prednisolone 40–50 mg

Answer

Low-flow oxygen to maintain saturations 88–92% and nebulised Salbutamol once

Answer

Start intravenous Salbutamol bolus as first-line treatment

Answer

Give inhaled Beclometasone via a spacer and review in 30 minutes

Answer

Discharge with a Salbutamol inhaler and arrange routine GP follow-up

Practice question