3: High-Risk Asthma Patients

Question 1

Is this patient a high-risk asthma patient who should be referred to a specialist?

History of sudden, severe exacerbations.

Answer 1

Yes

Question 2

Is this patient a high-risk asthma patient who should be referred to a specialist?

History of prior intubation for asthma.

Answer 2

Yes

Question 3

Is this patient a high-risk asthma patient who should be referred to a specialist?

Admission to an ICU because of asthma.

Answer 3

Yes

Question 4

Is this patient a high-risk asthma patient who should be referred to a specialist?

One hospitalization for asthma in the past year.

Answer 4

No. Two or more hospitalizations for asthma in the past year.

Question 5

Is this patient a high-risk asthma patient who should be referred to a specialist?

Two emergency department visits for asthma in the past year.

Answer 5

No. Three or more emergency department visits for asthma in the past year.

Question 6

Is this patient a high-risk asthma patient who should be referred to a specialist?

Hospitalization or an emergency department visit for asthma within the past month.

Answer 6

Yes

Question 7

Is this patient a high-risk asthma patient who should be referred to a specialist?

Use of an entire canister of inhaled short-acting beta2-agonists per month.

Answer 7

No. Use of 2 or more canisters of inhaled short-acting beta2-agonists per month.

Question 8

Is this patient a high-risk asthma patient who should be referred to a specialist?

Current use of systemic corticosteroids or recent withdrawal from systemic corticosteroids.

Answer 8

Yes