Asthma Action Plan Instructions

Early identification and treatment of mild asthma symptoms is the key to preventing severe asthma flares.

Some people over the age of 5 find it helpful to use a peak flow meter, and these peak flow values can help to guide your asthma management.

Controller medications must be taken daily to help prevent problems with asthma. These medications may be increased when asthma becomes active to further reduce inflammation. Rescue medications, or bronchodilators are fast-acting and are taken when asthma is active to relieve/treat symptoms.

ZONE

 

SIGNS/ SYMPTOMS

 

ACTION

 

GREEN

 

100-90%

of Personal Best

Peak Flow

 

None

  

 No breathing problems. No cough at nighttime or with exercise.

 

 

You’re doing great!

 

 Take your Green Zone controller medications, if prescribed. Use your bronchodilator before exercise, if needed.

 

 

YELLOW

 

90-70%

of Personal Best

Peak Flow

 

 

Changes may be subtle

 

 Cough is now a problem. Cough may be worse at night or with activity. Fatigue, fussiness or irritability may be noticed. Check peak flow values twice a day, but treat according to symptoms first. Start Yellow Zone treatment when an upper respiratory infection begins.

Time to take action!

 

 1. Begin Yellow Zone medications according to your action plan. Remember to use your rescue medicines first, followed by other inhaled medicines.

2. Call if you are “stuck” in this zone for more than 3-4 days.

RED

 

Less than 70%

of Personal Best

Peak Flow

 

 

 

 

Danger! Asthma is worsening!

 

Asthma flare requiring quick action!

Frequent cough, possibly wheezing, chest pain or tightness, increased respiratory rate*, shortness of breath. Symptoms interfere with daily activities. Unable to speak an entire sentence without having to stop and take a breath. May vomit after coughing spells. Unable to walk a flight of stairs or run a short distance without becoming short winded. Watch for retractions (skin around neck, between or underneath ribs may “suck in”) when breathing in.

 

CAUTION- ASTHMA IS FLARING!

 

 1. Start clear out series (3 rescue treatments given 20-30 minutes apart). If symptoms significantly improve, you must continue in the RED ZONE for 24-48 hours. Start your first Red Zone treatment 4 hours after the last clear out treatment.

2. Call our office (972-566-7788) if condition worsens or is not improving after clear out, if treatments are needed more often than every 4 hours, or if you are “stuck” in RED ZONE for more than 24 hours.

 

EMERGENCY

 

  Less than 50%

of Personal Best

Peak Flow

  

Increased work of breathing:

 

Possibly anxious, unable to speak in full sentences, lips or fingernails turning blue, lethargic or exhausted.

 

 

 

SEEK EMERGENCY CARE NOW!

 

Start clear out. Call us immediately. If your child is in respiratory distress, go to the nearest hospital emergency room.

 

*Taking a respiratory rate: For one-minute count how many times your chest goes “out”. For a small child you may need to place your hand on their chest or tummy.

Age

 

  

Normal Respiratory Rate

(breaths per minute) 

 

Increased Respiratory Rate

(breaths per minute)

 

Newborn

35-70

>70

1 year old +

25-35

>40

Preschool +

20-25

>30

10-12 years old

15-20

>26

12 and older

12-20

>25

*Please take respiratory rate and Peak Flow Meter readings (if applicable) prior to calling your doctor.