Acute or Sub-Acute Worsening of Asthma: Shortness of Breath, Cough, Wheezing, and Chest Tightness

This protocol covers the clinical management of patients experiencing an acute or sub-acute deterioration in asthma symptoms and lung function relative to their usual baseline.

An asthma exacerbation is an acute or subacute worsening in symptoms — including shortness of breath, cough, wheezing, and chest tightness — and lung function compared with the patient's usual status. For some patients, this may represent their initial presentation of asthma.

Treatment Approach

For patients in acute care settings who do not respond adequately to initial management, specific adjunct treatment is indicated. The complete criteria, sequencing, and regimen details are in the full protocol.

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References

An exacerbation is an acute or subacute worsening in symptoms and lung function, compared with the patient's usual status; some patients' initial presentation of asthma may be with an exacerbation.

In acute care facilities, consider intravenous magnesium sulfate if the patient has an inadequate response to intensive initial treatment.

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