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Acute asthma red flags — GPhC CRA MCQ

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HardRespiratory TherapeuticsAcute asthma red flagsGPhC CRA

A 19-year-old man with asthma comes to the counter wheezing after using ten puffs of salbutamol in 2 hours. He can speak in short phrases, his respiratory rate is 30/min and peak flow is about 45% of his personal best. He has no spacer with him. What is the most appropriate action?

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Correct answer: E — Call emergency services and give salbutamol via spacer if available

He has features of an acute severe asthma attack, including high reliever use, speech limitation, tachypnoea and low peak flow. Emergency services should be contacted, with reliever inhaler via spacer while waiting if available. Delaying care could be dangerous. Antihistamines, steam and NSAIDs do not treat acute severe asthma.

Reference: NICE CKS Asthma; BNF