Table 1 JRCALC guidelines for asthma 2006[6]
Assessment | Management |
|---|---|
Assess ABCD (airway, breathing, circulation, disability) for severity of asthma. | - Correct ABCD. |
Check PEFR if practicable. | - Administer high dose oxygen. |
Monitor ECG and pulse oximetry. | - Commence transfer to definitive care. |
Reassess to measure improvement in peak flow or chest air entry. | - Administer salbutamol via oxygen driven nebuliser at 6-8l/minute. |
- In acute or severe life threatening cases add ipratropium bromide via nebuliser. | |
- Obtain intravenous access if possible. | |
- If no clinical improvement after 5–10 minutes repeat salbutamol nebuliser, consider continuous nebulised salbutamol and add ipratropium bromide nebuliser if not given previously. | |
- Administer hydrocortisone intravenously. | |
In life threatening asthma: | |
Administer adrenaline intramuscularly. |