What question should you ask as part of exploring the child’s history of asthma?

What question should you ask as part of exploring the child’s history of asthma?

• A. Does he have allergies?
• B. Has he ever been intubated due to asthma?
• C. What is his daily inhaler?
• D. Has he ever had pneumonia?

Answer: (B)

In assessing a child's asthma history, you’re looking for signs that indicate how severe past episodes have been and how vigilant you need to be now. A history of intubation due to asthma reveals a previous life-threatening attack that required mechanical ventilation. That prior event signals a higher risk of serious deterioration in future episodes and directly influences how you approach current management—expect closer monitoring, readiness for more aggressive therapy, and consideration of admission or escalation if symptoms recur. While asking about allergies, daily inhaler use, or past pneumonia provides useful background, none convey the same level of prior severity and risk as a past intubation for asthma.

In assessing a child's asthma history, you’re looking for signs that indicate how severe past episodes have been and how vigilant you need to be now. A history of intubation due to asthma reveals a previous life-threatening attack that required mechanical ventilation. That prior event signals a higher risk of serious deterioration in future episodes and directly influences how you approach current management—expect closer monitoring, readiness for more aggressive therapy, and consideration of admission or escalation if symptoms recur.

While asking about allergies, daily inhaler use, or past pneumonia provides useful background, none convey the same level of prior severity and risk as a past intubation for asthma.