JR is a 56 yo man with h/o asthma, HTN and hyperlipidemia. He presents to the ER today with h/o shortness of breath for 45 minutes at rest. He reports that he was feeling well and in his usual state of health until about an hour ago, when he smelled something burning. 20 minutes later, he began to feel short of breath and was wheezing. He tried using his albuterol inhaler without success, so he proceeded to the ER. Upon arrival, he was tachycardic, tachypneic, wheezing, using accessory muscles and hypertensive. His last admission for an asthma attack was 2 months ago. He denies a recent cold or URI and says the albuterol usually helps him when he feels an attack coming on and tends to use it on a daily basis. He generally has wheezing and shortness of breath on a daily basis. JR reports poor sleep due to waking about 2 times a week for shortness of breath. He has 2 cats, which sleep next to him on his pillow and he lives in an apartment complex. JR does not smoke, but his neighbor smokes. JR is a carpenter by occupation. He monitors his peak flow once a week at home. He reports that his peak flow generally runs about 325 L/min and his personal best is 480 L/min. His current peak flow is 175 L/min.
Medication Prior to Admission:
Albuterol MDI 2 puffs BID-QID PRN
Salmeterol Diskus 1 inhalation QID
Ipratropium bromide MDI 2 puffs QID
Lovastatin 20 mg po HS
Lisinopril 10 mg po QD
Questions:
- Classify JR’s asthma severity and control based on signs and symptoms prior to this most recent exacerbation and visit to the ED.
- Classify JR’s exacerbation severity based on PEF and symptoms.
- Identify the various triggers in JR’s life that may exacerbate asthma and prevent control.
- Which step should JR have been on prior to ER based on severity and current medications?
- Which medications are dosed incorrectly and/or inappropriate for JR’s asthma severity?
- Would a short-burst of oral corticosteroid be indicated at this time? If so, what dose and duration?
- How would you assess that JR is well-controlled?
- If JR is well-controlled, how would you step down in therapy?
