Browse Guides  internal medicine  pulmonology

Prevalence Clinical features Differential Diagnosis Investigations Therapy Prevention Prognosis

Investigations Peak expiratory flow rate c   Admit patients with a PEFR c   < 100 l/min before therapy < 300 l/min after therapy pulse oximetry c   arterial blood gases c, using local anaesthetic  a, if SaO 2 ≤ 92% or signs of hypercapnia After therapy, repeat PEFR c   arterial blood gases  c   Consider a chest X-ray for complicated cases c to exclude a pneumothorax. d

Expiry date: November 2003
Levels of Evidence used in grading these guides