Treatment
Beta-agonists:
Short-course oral steroids
Albuterol 4 Puffs q4hr and reduce to 2 puffs q4hr. Can D/C patient if they are tolerating q4h albuterol.
Provide albuterol for home and school. Write an order on a script for the school nurse to keep albuterol at school.
**Ipratropium is only used in the ED. There is no evidence of benefit in asthma while children have been moved to the floor.
Important asthma pearls and links
- How to Order Inhaled Albuterol and a Nebulizer Machine.
- Asthma severity and initiating treatment for ages 0 to 4 years
- Asthma severity and initiating treatment for ages 5 to 11 years
Reference
Pollart SM, Compton RM, Elward KS: Management of acute asthma exacerbations. Am Fam Physician 2011;84(1):40-47.