Acute Asthma Exacerbation

Clinical Presentation

Worsening wheezing, dyspnea, chest tightness or pain, and worsening cough

Hypoxemia

Tachypnea and Tachycardia

Decrease PaO2 and increase in PCO2 on ABG

Diagnosis

ABG

Pulmonary function test (PFT)

Peak Expiratory Flow

Trigger or allergen

Pulse oximetry and auscultation of lungs

Treatment

Early diagnosis and treatment, Prevention

Anti-inflammatory

Beta-agonist bronchodilators

Oral corticosteroids

Immunotherapy

Monoclonal antibodies

Immediate administration of O2

Antibiotics if bacterial

Pathophysiology

Epidemiology

Affects people of all ages

18.7 million adults in the U.S.

6.8 million children in the U.S.

Any patient previously diagnosed with asthma or has a comorbidity that may increase their risks such as cardiovascular disease, smoking history, or obesity

Increase in IgE response and mucus production

Air trapping

Severe narrowing of the airways

Introduction of allergen into the airway

Severe inflammation of the bronchioles caused by

Lymphocytes, mast cells, eosinophils, macrophages, neutrophils, basophils

Worsening of a decrease in air movement throughout the lung