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An asthma emergency is potentially life-threatening. Most people who suffer asthma attacks are aware of their asthma and should have an action plan and medication. They may wear a medical alert device. In an emergency, or if a patient does not have their own reliever, use another personΒs reliever (if permitted under local state or territory regulations), or one from a first aid kit. If the patient is having difficulty breathing but has not previously had an asthma attack, follow WHAT TO DO
Signs and symptoms Mild to moderate asthma attack Β increasingly soft to loud wheeze
Β persistent cough
Β minor to obvious difficulty breathing
Asthma emergency Β symptoms get worse very quickly
Β little or no relief from inhaler
Β severe shortness of breath, focused only on breathing
Β unable to speak normally
Β pallor, sweating
Β progressively more anxious, subdued or panicky
Β blue lips, face, earlobes, fingernails
Β loss of consciousness
What to do 1 Follow DRSABCD. 2 Help the patient to sit down in a comfortable position. 3 Reassure and stay with the patient. 4 If requested, help the patient to follow their action plan.
How to give medication (4:4:4) Use a spacer if available. 1 Give 4 separate puffs of blue/grey reliever puffer: Β shake the inhaler
Β give 1 puff
Β take 4 breaths
Β repeat until 4 puffs have been given. 2 Wait 4 minutes 3 If there is no improvement, give 4 more separate puffs of blue/grey reliever as above. 4 If the patient still cannot breath normally, call triple zero (000) for an ambulance. 5 Keep giving 4 puffs every 4 minutes (as above) until medical aid arrives.
- public document at doc.anagora.org/english_asthma
- video call at meet.jit.si/english_asthma