Table 1.

Classification of exacerbations

	Treatment classification	Clinical classification	Physical assessment
Mild	Treated with short-acting bronchodilators only (patient self-management)	Does not involve respiratory failure	Dyspnoea ranging from insignificant to troublesome Respiratory rate < 25 breaths/minute Heart rate < 110 beats/minute ≥90% oxygen saturation
Moderate	Treated with antibiotics and/or oral steroids	Acute respiratory failure, non-life-threatening
Severe	Emergency room visit or hospitalisation	Acute respiratory failure, life-threatening	Cyanosis or oedema could be evident Respiratory rate > 25 breaths/minute, Heart rate > 110 beats/min < 90% oxygen saturation PaO2 < 8.0 kPa PaCO2 < 6.5 kPa
Life-threatening	Hospitalisation	Acute respiratory failure, life-threatening	May be confused/unconscious Variable respiratory rate Variable heart rate < 90% oxygen saturation PaO2 < 6.5 kPa PaCO2 > 9.0 kPa Blood gas pH < 7.3

From references [1, 65–67]

PaCO₂ partial pressure of carbon dioxide, PaO₂ partial pressure of oxygen