An asthmatic patient reports approximately five nighttime awakenings due to asthma symptoms per month. How is this patient's asthma classified?

Correct answer: B. Mild persistent

• A. INTERMITTENT asthma allows nocturnal symptoms no more than TWICE per month, with daytime symptoms twice a week or less. Five nighttime awakenings exceeds this threshold.
• B. CORRECT. MILD PERSISTENT asthma is defined in part by nighttime awakenings occurring 3–4 times per MONTH. Five per month falls in this band — more than twice monthly but less than weekly. Daytime symptoms occur more than twice a week but not daily, and there is minor limitation of activity.
• C. MODERATE persistent asthma involves nighttime awakenings more than once per WEEK but not nightly, with daily daytime symptoms.
• D. SEVERE persistent asthma involves nighttime symptoms OFTEN NIGHTLY (roughly seven times per week), continuous daytime symptoms and extreme limitation of activity.

Note: Nocturnal-symptom thresholds: Intermittent ≤2/month · Mild persistent 3–4/month · Moderate persistent >1/week (not nightly) · Severe persistent often nightly. Ask every asthmatic about recent ED visits, steroid courses and whether they brought their rescue inhaler.