Which initial question is useful in assessing asthma history?

Which initial question is useful in assessing asthma history?

• A. How often does he experience symptoms at night?
• B. Has he ever required intubation due to asthma?
• C. Does he have a peanut allergy?
• D. Does he have a family history of diabetes?

Answer: (B)

The main idea is that a history of severe, life-threatening asthma is the most powerful early indicator of risk. If a child has ever required intubation for an asthma attack, it shows the asthma is capable of causing airway collapse and respiratory failure, which flags a high level of severity. Knowing this from the start helps guide how aggressively to monitor and treat on presentation, and it prompts readiness for rapid escalation to advanced airway support if needed. Asking about nocturnal symptoms can inform you about how well asthma is controlled, but it doesn’t carry the same weight for immediate risk as a past intubation. A peanut allergy relates to atopy but doesn’t directly reflect asthma severity or acute deterioration risk. A family history of diabetes isn’t relevant to the asthma history.

The main idea is that a history of severe, life-threatening asthma is the most powerful early indicator of risk. If a child has ever required intubation for an asthma attack, it shows the asthma is capable of causing airway collapse and respiratory failure, which flags a high level of severity. Knowing this from the start helps guide how aggressively to monitor and treat on presentation, and it prompts readiness for rapid escalation to advanced airway support if needed.

Asking about nocturnal symptoms can inform you about how well asthma is controlled, but it doesn’t carry the same weight for immediate risk as a past intubation. A peanut allergy relates to atopy but doesn’t directly reflect asthma severity or acute deterioration risk. A family history of diabetes isn’t relevant to the asthma history.