Asthma action plan: Signs only

Return to Index Step 1: Taking Control of Your Asthma Step 2: What is Asthma?Step 3: Know the Signs Step 4: How Asthma Is Diagnosed Step 5: The Levels of Severity Step 6: Determine Your Goals and Expectations Step 7: Asthma Drugs Step 8: Drug Delivery Devices Step 9: Understand Your Action Plan Step 10: Make "Peak Flow" a Habit!Step 11: Avoid Asthma Triggers Step 12: Visit Your Doctor Regularly Key Points Glossary

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GREEN ZONE: I'm Doing Well

I have no cough, wheeze, chest tightness, or shortness of breath during the day or night. I can do my usual activities. I take these drugs every day:

DRUG:_________________________ HOW MUCH & WHEN:_________________________

Additional instructions:

YELLOW ZONE: My Asthma Is Getting Worse

I have coughing, or wheezing, or chest tightness, or shortness of breath, or waking at night due to asthma. Or, I can do some -- but not all -- of my usual activities.

I add this quick relief drug (and keep taking my GREEN ZONE drugs):

DRUG:_________________________ HOW MUCH & WHEN:_________________________

Additional instructions:

RED ZONE: Medical Alert!

I am very short of breath, or quick-relief drugs have not helped, or I cannot do usual activities, or symptoms are the same/worse after 24 hours in the yellow zone.

DRUG:_________________________ HOW MUCH & WHEN:_________________________

After taking this drug, call the doctor NOW! Go to the hospital or call 911 for an ambulance if still in the red zone after 15 minutes AND I have not reached my doctor.

DANGER SIGNS:

Trouble walking and talking due to shortness of breath.
Lips or fingernails are blue.

Take 4 or 6 puffs of quick relief medicine and go to the hospital/call an ambulance!

Review Date: 6/29/2012
Reviewed By: Allen J. Blaivas, DO, Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine UMDNJ-NJMS, Attending Physician in the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Veteran Affairs, VA New Jersey Health Care System, East Orange, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Previoulsy reviewed by David A. Kaufman, MD, Section Chief, Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, Bridgeport Hospital-Yale New Haven Health System, and Assistant Clinical Professor, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. (6/1/2010)

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