Medical Emergencies · patient case question
What is the treatment for an acute asthma attack in the dental chair?
Patient case: Emergencies, angioedema and closing items
Scenario: The final four items of Day 2.
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. Albuterol by inhaler
- A. Epinephrine is reserved for an attack that fails to respond to the bronchodilator, or where anaphylaxis is suspected.
- B. Correct. Stop treatment, sit the patient upright, and give the short-acting beta-2 agonist — the patient's own inhaler or the one in the emergency kit — with supplemental oxygen.
- C. Nitroglycerin is for angina and would drop the blood pressure without helping the airway.
- D. Antihistamines have no role in an acute asthma attack.
Note: Prevention matters more: ask the patient to bring their inhaler, schedule morning appointments, and avoid aspirin and NSAIDs in aspirin-sensitive asthma.
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