Status asthmaticus laboratory findings

• Measurement of oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry may be useful to identify patients with acute severe asthma who may rapidly progress to respiratory failure and thereby require more intensive therapy.^[1]

• Arterial blood gas may reveal respiratory alkalosis that is consistent with the hypoxemia and/or hypercarbia secondary to significant hypoventilation.

• CBC count may demonstrate an increase in peripheral WBCs secondary to the use of steroids and β-agonists.

Template:WH Template:WS