Acute Asthma

Acute Asthma

Pathophysiology
1. Individual with asthma has hypertrophied airways with mucus present
  1. exposure to allergen/asthmatic trigger
    1. type I hypersensitivity reaction
      1. bronchospasms, edema, increased mucus secretions
Epidemiology
1. affects individuals of all ages
2. ethnic minorities more at risk
3. prevalence greater in children
Clinical Presentation
1. wheezing
2. cough
3. hypoxia
4. chest pain/tightness
5. dyspnea
6. cyanosis
7. pulsus paradoxus
8. anxiety
9. diaphoresis
Diagnosis
1. pulse oximetry
2. ABG
3. chest auscultation/wheezing
4. tachycardia and increased respiratory rate
5. blood esoniphilia
6. pulmonary functions testing
Treatment
1. bronchodialators
2. rescue inhalers
3. systemic corticosteroids
4. ipratropium

Resource summary

	Created by lisabg333 almost 12 years ago