An asthmatic patient reports nighttime symptoms (nocturnal awakenings) approximately 5 times per month. According to NAEPP guidelines, how would you classify this patient's asthma severity?

The National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) classifies asthma severity based on frequency of symptoms: Intermittent = symptoms ≤2 days/week, nighttime awakenings ≤2/month; Mild persistent = symptoms >2 days/week but not daily, nighttime awakenings 3–4/month; Moderate persistent = daily symptoms, nighttime awakenings >1/week but not nightly; Severe persistent = continual symptoms throughout the day, frequent nighttime awakenings. Five nighttime episodes per month exceeds the mild persistent threshold (3–4/month) and falls within the moderate persistent category (>1/week, which is approximately >4/month). This classification guides the step-up approach to asthma medication.