Question

A 24-year-old woman with known asthma presents to the emergency department with acute shortness of breath. She has audible wheeze, speaks in short phrases, respiratory rate 32/min, heart rate 118 bpm, oxygen saturation 93% on room air and peak expiratory flow (PEF) 45% of her best. According to the Australian Asthma Handbook, which immediate management is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Repeated inhaled salbutamol via pMDI and spacer, add inhaled ipratropium and give systemic corticosteroids early

Answer

Nebulised salbutamol alone every 4 hours and discharge if improved

Answer

Single dose of IV aminophylline and observe

Answer

Commence intravenous salbutamol infusion before inhaled therapy

Answer

Administer intramuscular adrenaline as first-line therapy

Practice question