Question

A 23-year-old woman with asthma presents to a remote nurse-led clinic in the outback with a mild-moderate exacerbation. She is speaking in full sentences, RR 24/min, HR 102 bpm, SpO2 95% on room air. There is no nebuliser available, but she has a salbutamol metered-dose inhaler and a spacer. What is the most appropriate immediate bronchodilator strategy?

Accepted Answer

Use salbutamol MDI with spacer delivering repeated doses equivalent to nebulised therapy

Answer

Withhold treatment until she can be transferred to a larger hospital with a nebuliser

Answer

Give IV salbutamol

Answer

Give IV aminophylline as first-line bronchodilator

Answer

Use dry powder salbutamol device only once

Practice question