Question

While assessing a patient brought to you by very frantic parents, you note the patient to be alert to loud verbal stimuli only, tachypneic, tacyhcardic, exhibiting an increase in work of breathing, audible expiratory *wheezing and pale*. This patient is presenting with the clinical signs of:

Answer 1

The patient's symptoms of tachypnea, tachycardia, wheezing, and being responsive only to loud verbal stimuli are indicative of an asthma attack, requiring immediate medical attention and management.

Step-by-step explanation:

The patient is presenting with clinical signs that are strongly suggestive of an asthma attack. These signs include being alert to loud verbal stimuli only, tachypnea (rapid breathing), tachycardia (rapid heart rate), increased work of breathing, audible expiratory wheezing and pallor. Such symptoms align with the classic presentation of asthma, particularly when considering the presence of wheezing, which is a common sign found during asthma exacerbations. These clinical signs warrant immediate attention and management, which may involve administering fast-acting bronchodilators and evaluating for secondary complications, such as respiratory failure.