Table 24.2.
Assessment of Asthma Severity
| Symptom | Mild | Severity Moderate | Severe and Life threatening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical exhaustion | No | No | Yes |
| Speech | Sentences | Phrases | Words, or unable to speak |
| Pulse rate (bpm) | <100 | 100–120 | >120 or <60 |
| Pulsus paradox | Nil | May be palpable | Palpable |
| Wheeze intensity | Variable | Moderate to loud | May be quiet |
| Central cyanosis | Absent | May be present | Likely to be present without O2 |
| Peak exp flow (% predicted) | >75 | 50–75 | <50 or <100 liters/minute |
| FEV1 (% predicted) | >75 | 50–75 | <50 or <1 liter |
| Oximetry (%) | >95 | 92–95 | <92 |
| Paco2 (mmHg) | 38–42 | 35–44 | >45 |
| Arterial blood gas pH | 7.35–7.45 | 7.35–7.50 | <7.35 |
| Conscious state | Normal | Normal | May be depressed |