ASTHMA

 

Asthma is a disorder of the smaller airways of the lungs. People with asthma have sensitive airways which can narrow when exposed to certain ‘triggers’, leading to difficulty in breathing. [ANZCOR Guideline 9.2.5]

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Common symptoms of asthma are: wheezing, shortness of breath, a feeling of tightness in the chest, coughing and speaking in one or two word clusters

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Treatment: 

1. Remove the trigger 

2. Sit patient upright; rest and reassure

3. Encourage exhalation with pursed lips

4. Reliever medication: 1 x 4 x 4 x 4 (with spacer)

5. Hydrate

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Evacuation: Consider: Any persistent asthma event or where the trigger cannot be removed Rapid: Any asthma event unresponsive to salbutamol and/or any patient with underlying co-morbidities (eg: chest infection)

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Special Note: Ensure you check any thunderstorm asthma warnings and potentially change intended plans if required. 

Health Direct Thunderstorm Asthma Link 

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