QuestionSBA
QuestionChoice
In a life-threatening asthma attack, CO2 levels are normal because patients are still able to blow off CO2 as they breathe. Only in near-fatal asthma attacks does PaCO2 rise as patients become exhausted and are no longer able to blow off CO2. This results in them becoming hypercapnic.
10001248
c
High PaCO2
QuestionChoice
Although wheeze is heard on auscultation during most asthma exacerbations, it can sometimes not be heard in life-threatening asthma attacks. A patient's chest in life-threatening exacerbations can actually be silent due to there not being enough airflow inside the lungs for a wheezing sound to be formed. This tends to occur when a patient's chest becomes really tight and their respiratory muscles become tired.
10001247
b
Wheeze
QuestionChoice
This is a sign of a severe asthma exacerbation. As a patient's symptoms worsen, they become more short of breath and are unable to complete sentences in a single breath.
10001249
d
Unable to complete sentences in one breath
QuestionChoice
CO2 levels are normal in a life-threatening asthma attack because patients still have enough energy to blow off CO2 through rapid breathing. Only in near-fatal asthma attacks does PaCO2 rise as patients become exhausted and are no longer able to blow off CO2. This results in them becoming hypercapnic.
10001246
a
Normal PaCO2
QuestionChoice
Although coughing is a symptom of asthma, it is not indicative of the severity of an asthma exacerbation and therefore cannot be used to identify a life-threatening asthma attack.
10001250
e
Cough
Concept
Chapter
2693
3725
Asthma
Topic
132
Respiratory
12796
A 17-year-old female with a history of asthma presents to Accident and Emergency with acute onset shortness of breath and chest pain.

On examination her PEFR is 39%, her oxygen saturation is 90%, her lips are blue-tinged, and her heart rate is 120 beats per minute. She is diagnosed with a life-threatening asthma attack.

Which of the following features is most strongly associated with a life-threatening asthma attack?
a