In a patient with bronchial asthma silent
chest signifies
a) Good Prognosis
b) Bad Prognosis
c) Grave Prognosis
d) Not a Prognostic sign
Correct Answer - C
Ans. is ‘c’ i.e., Grave Prognosis
Silent chest (Little/no air movement without wheezes in Bronchial
Asthma suggests a grave prognosis/impending respiratory failure
(Life threatening Asthma).
Signs of impending respiratory failure include :
Drowsiness or confusion
Diaphoresis
Bradycardia
Paradoxical thoraco abdominal
Signs of impending respiratory failure in Asthma
Drowsiness or confusion
Diaphoresis
Bradycardia
Paradoxical thracoabdominal movements
PEFR < 33%
Hypotension
Pulsus paradoxus
Hypercapnea
Silent chest