What should you assess first in a patient presenting with an acute asthma attack?

In a patient presenting with an acute asthma attack, assessing airway patency is the priority because the primary concern is to ensure that the airway is open and that the patient can breathe adequately. During an acute asthma attack, the bronchial tubes constrict and may become obstructed due to inflammation and increased mucus production.

Ensuring airway patency is crucial as it lays the foundation for assessing the effectiveness of ventilation and oxygenation. If the airway is compromised, even the most accurate assessments of breath sounds, pulse oximetry, or heart rate will not be effective in managing the patient’s condition.

Focusing first on airway patency allows the healthcare provider to quickly intervene with appropriate treatments, such as bronchodilators or oxygen, if the airway is not clear, thereby addressing the most critical aspect of the acute respiratory crisis. This approach aligns with emergency management protocols, which emphasize the importance of maintaining a patent airway to prevent further complications associated with hypoxia or respiratory failure.