Adult and Pediatric Asthma Treatment Plan

What is an Asthma Action Plan?

 

An asthma action plan is a written guide to help people be aware of their asthma symptoms and what medicines to use and when to take them.  

There are usually three zones or steps in the asthma action plan.  If peak flows are used, the readings are also part of the plan. 

 

Green zone: asthma is doing very well

• Symptoms:
  • Breathing: Easy        
  • Nighttime asthma cough: Rare
  • Exercise-induced symptoms: Mild, easily treated
  • Peak flow: 80% or greater of personal best

 

• Medicines:
  • Controller medicine, if prescribed: Take daily
  • Rescue medicine:  Used as needed for quick-relief or before exercise

 

If you have first signs of a cold or are having asthma symptoms (cough, wheezing), begin the yellow zone. It is best to start the yellow zone the same day you first notice symptoms.

Yellow zone: asthma getting worse

 

• Symptoms:
  • Cough, wheezing, chest tightness   
  • Nighttime awakenings:  some
  • Can do some, but not all, usual activities
  • Peak flow: 50-79% of personal best

 

• Medicines:
  • “Step-up” medicine added (such as inhaled corticosteroid)
  • Rescue medicine:  every 3-4 hours as needed for symptoms

 

Continue the yellow zone until symptoms are better plus 2 more days, then return to the green zone.  If symptoms are not improving after 5 days in the yellow zone, or getting worse, go to the red zone.

 

Red zone: severe asthma signs, yellow zone medicines are not helping

 

• Severe Symptoms:
  • Cough and/or wheezing: almost all of the time
  • Nighttime awakenings:  Frequent
  • Breathing: Fast
  • Shortness of breath
  • Peak flow: Less than 50% of personal best

 

• Medicines:
  •  Rescue medicine:  use right away and repeat in 15-20 minutes if needed for symptoms; call or see your doctor
  • “Step-up” medicine added: oral corticosteroids (such as prednisone)

 

Call the doctor or 911 immediately if:

• Not able to talk in complete sentences
• Not able to walk due to difficult breathing
• Pulling in of chest and/or neck muscles with each breath
• Not responding to rescue medication (albuterol)
• Lips or nail beds are turning blue

 

 

 

 

 

 

The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Last Updated: 03/31/2008

Copyright © 03/31/2008 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. UWH #6129

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