Immediate management of acute severe asthma in adults
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 23, 2026
Bronchial Thermoplasty: A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Severe Asthma
Published on: November 4, 2010
1University of Nottingham School of Nursing, Grantham Centre, Adelaide, South Australia.
Abstract:
Asthma is a disease with an increasingly high incidence in the UK, tragically accounting for almost 2000 UK deaths per year (Jones and Morris, 1997). Acute severe asthma is potentially life-threatening, necessitating immediate assessment and management. This article covers the main types of asthma, the pathophysiology of asthma, and the principles and rationale for the immediate management of adults admitted to the accident and emergency department suffering from an acute severe asthma attack. The authors have used the British Thoracic Society (BTS, 1997) guidelines on the management of asthma as the basis for their advice.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management
Clinical Assessment for Asthma:
This is the first step in diagnosing and managing asthma. It includes:
01:25Antiasthma Drugs: β2-Adrenoceptor Agonists
One class of bronchodilators includes β2-adrenoceptor agonists. These agents target the β2-adrenoceptors located on bronchial smooth muscle cells. By stimulating these receptors, β2-agonists induce relaxation in these...
01:30Asthma-IV: Nursing Management
First, in...
01:30Adrenergic Agonists: Therapeutic Uses
Emergency and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) applications: Pressor agents increase blood pressure, heart rate, and contractility in shock and organ failure situations. Dopamine can induce vasodilation and stimulate adrenoceptors. Endogenous catecholamines are effective in treating cardiogenic shock. α2-agonists like clonidine can reverse anesthesia-induced hypertension.
Allergies and anaphylaxis:...
01:20Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management
Asthma is classified as allergic and non-allergic. Allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander trigger allergic asthma, while factors like cold air, intense emotions, or exercise can induce non-allergic asthma.
01:25Antiasthma Drugs: Inhaled Corticosteroids and Glucocorticoids
ICS work through a multifaceted mechanism of action. They suppress the inflammatory response caused by the proliferation of TH cells. They also reduce the transcription of the IL-2 gene, which is involved in the...