In cases of respiratory distress due to asthma, what is a key sign to monitor?

In the context of respiratory distress due to asthma, increased dependence on reliever medications is a key sign to monitor because it indicates worsening asthma control. Patients who are experiencing significant respiratory distress may find that they need to use their bronchodilator or reliever medication more frequently, as their airways are becoming more obstructed and less responsive to treatment. This increased need for medication reflects a declining ability to breathe effectively and suggests that the condition may not be well-managed, warranting further intervention.

Monitoring the frequency of reliever medication use helps clinicians assess the severity of the asthma episode and the patient's response to therapy. If a patient who generally uses their reliever only occasionally starts to use it multiple times a day or even hourly, it signals a potential asthma exacerbation, necessitating prompt and appropriate action to address the worsening condition.

Other options do not directly reflect the urgency or severity of the situation. For instance, decreased coughing might seem like a positive sign, but in the context of asthma, it could indicate that the patient is unable to cough effectively due to obstruction, so this does not reliably indicate improvement. A reduced heart rate would generally not be associated with an asthma exacerbation, as patients tend to experience tachycardia due to hypoxia or increased