A 25-year-old woman with known asthma presents to the emergency department with breathlessness and wheeze after exposure to cat dander. She is speakin...

Question

A 25-year-old woman with known asthma presents to the emergency department with breathlessness and wheeze after exposure to cat dander. She is speaking in short phrases, respiratory rate is 26 breaths/min, oxygen saturation is 95% on room air and peak expiratory flow is 60% of predicted. Which is the most appropriate initial bronchodilator therapy?

Accepted Answer

Four puffs of salbutamol via metered-dose inhaler with spacer, repeated as per response

Answer

Nebulised salbutamol driven by oxygen

Answer

Intravenous salbutamol infusion

Answer

Intravenous aminophylline

Answer

Subcutaneous adrenaline

au-acem MCQ (SBA): Acute asthma exacerbation