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Adult Medical Emergency Handbook - Scottish Intensive Care Society

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Chapter 4<br />

RESPIRATORY EMERGENCIES<br />

SEVERE ACUTE ASTHMA<br />

Presentation<br />

Breathlessness, wheeze, chest tightness and cough. Often in a patient<br />

known to have asthma, but first episode can occur at any age and may be<br />

severe. Onset may be rapid (minutes/hours) or gradual over a few days.<br />

Severe Episode<br />

• Too breathless to complete sentences in one breath.<br />

• Respiratory rate of 25 or more.<br />

• Heart rate of 110 or more.<br />

• PEF

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