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Investigations

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

First line investigation:

  • PEFR
  • blood gases:
    • hypoxia is common usually requiring the administration of oxygen
    • hypercapnia may suggest respiratory failure and artificial ventilation should be considered

Other investigation:

  • full blood count
  • blood cultures
  • urea and electrolytes to check for dehydration
  • chest radiography to check for pneumothorax

If the patient has any features indicating a life-threatening asthma exacerbation, measure arterial blood gas. No other investigations are immediately required prior to starting management (1)

 

Reference

  1. British Thoracic Society; Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network. British guideline on the management of asthma: a national clinical guideline. Jul 2019 [internet publication].

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