Skip to main content

Asthma Clinical Pathway – Inpatient and PICU – History and Physical

Asthma Clinical Pathway – Inpatient and PICU – History and Physical

History

Past Medical History
  • Time of onset of exacerbation
  • Potential triggers
  • Severity of symptoms compared with previous exacerbations
  • Response to treatments prior to admission
  • In the past year/lifetime, estimate number of asthma-related:
    • Office visits
    • ED visits
    • Hospitalizations
    • ICU admissions/need for intubation
Medications
  • All current medications, time of last dose
  • Number of courses of systemic steroids in the last year
  • Adherence with controller medications, use of spacer
Persistent Symptoms
  • In the last 4 wks, prior to current exacerbation
    • Use of rescue medication
      • Albuterol
      • Levalbuterol
      • Inhaled corticosteroids
    • Nighttime symptoms
    • Exercise intolerance
  • Presence of complicating illnesses
    • e.g., pulmonary, cardiac
  • Diseases aggravated by steroid therapy
    • e.g., diabetes, hypertension, ulcers, psychosis

Physical

General
  • Vital signs, pulse oximetry
  • Level of alertness
  • Hydration status
  • Presence of cyanosis, pallor
Respiratory
  • Respiratory distress
  • Wheezing, decreased aeration
  • Identify complications
    • Pneumonia
    • Pneumothorax
    • Pneumomediastinum
  • Rule out upper airway obstruction
Jump back to top