3: Status Asthmaticus

Question 1

What are the 3 treatment goals for status asthmaticus?

Answer 1

1. Correction of significant hypoxemia with supplemental oxygen.
   
   1. Severe cases with alveolar hypoventilation require mechanically assisted ventilation.
2. Rapid reversal of airflow obstruction with repeated or continuous administration of an inhaled beta2-agonist.
   
   1. Early administration of systemic corticosteroids (e.g., oral prednisone or intravenous methylprednisolone) suggested in asthma that fails to respond promptly and completely to inhaled beta2-agonists.
3. Reduction in the likelihood of recurrence of severe airflow obstruction by intensifying therapy with a short course of systemic corticosteroids is helpful.

Question 2

Improvement in FEV1 after _____ minutes of treatment is significantly correlated with a broad range of indices of the severity of asthmatic exacerbations.

Answer 2

Improvement in FEV1 after 30 minutes of treatment is significantly correlated with a broad range of indices of the severity of asthmatic exacerbations.

Question 3

Repeated measurement of _____ in the emergency department can help reduce unnecessary admissions.

Answer 3

Repeated measurement of airflow in the emergency department can help reduce unnecessary admissions.