7‏/12‏/2016

MCQ 5 (Medicine/Asthma/ what are the tests required in asthma exacerbation

Which of the following tests are indicated in routine evaluation of a patient with an asthma exacerbation?
A) Chest x-ray.
B) CBC.
C) Arterial blood gas.
D) All of the above.
E) None of the above.


Discussion
The correct answer is E. None of the above tests is indicated in the routine evaluation of an asthma exacerbation. A chest x-ray should be reserved for those patients in whom pneumonia or other pulmonary
process is suspected. A CBC is not going to change your therapy in the routine asthma exacerbation and is not indicated. Likewise, an ABG (Arterial blood gas) is unnecessary in most asthma exacerbations. It can be used to assist in your clinical evaluation to determine whether or not the patient is retaining CO2; however, even in the “crashing patient” an ABG is not necessary because intubation is a clinical decision and should not be based on the blood gas.

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