Question

A 25-year-old man with known asthma presents with severe shortness of breath. He is speaking in single words, respiratory rate is 32/min, heart rate 124/min, oxygen saturations 89% on air, and peak expiratory flow is 30% of his best. What is the most appropriate immediate management?

Accepted Answer

Give high-flow oxygen and repeated nebulised Salbutamol with Ipratropium

Answer

Give oral Prednisolone 40 mg only

Answer

Start an intravenous Aminophylline infusion as first-line

Answer

Request an urgent chest CT scan

Answer

Discharge with an increase in his inhaled corticosteroid dose

Practice question

A 25-year-old man with known asthma presents with severe shortness of breath. He is speaking in single words, respiratory rate is 32/min, heart rate 124/min, oxygen saturations 89% on air, and peak expiratory flow is 30% of his best. What is the most appropriate immediate management?