In cases of severe asthma, what should be done prior to intubation consideration?

In cases of severe asthma, ensuring that CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) is attempted prior to considering intubation is essential. CPAP can help improve oxygenation and ventilation in patients experiencing severe respiratory distress. It assists by providing a continuous flow of air, which helps to keep the airways open and reduces the work of breathing. This non-invasive approach can sometimes alleviate the need for intubation if it successfully improves the patient's condition and mitigates the respiratory failure.

The use of CPAP is particularly important because it can provide immediate support while maintaining the patient's ability to breathe on their own. If CPAP is adequate, it can stabilize the patient and allow time for other interventions, such as medications, to take effect.

In contrast, oral medications may not act quickly enough in an acute setting, and steroid injections can take several hours to become effective, which may not be suitable in emergencies where rapid intervention is crucial. Waiting for several hours is also not an appropriate response in severe asthma, as this could lead to further deterioration in the patient's respiratory status. Therefore, attempting CPAP first aligns with the protocol for managing severe asthma cases effectively.