Asthma patient vomiting

[Ruba]

My asthma patient on Thursday came to the ER complaining of the usual asthma symptoms (SOB,fever,cough...) and she also said she vomited at home 3 times and when she got to the ER she vomited 2 more times. Why does the vomiting occur?

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Many reasons.....anxiety, build up of mucous, rescue meds, toxic levels of certain meds.

[Ruba]

Many reasons.....anxiety, build up of mucous, rescue meds, toxic levels of certain meds.

Thank you. :)

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

You are welcome....:)...they will cough and cough and cough and gag causing them to throw up in an attempt to clear the airway.

[Ruba]

You are welcome....:)...they will cough and cough and cough and gag causing them to throw up in an attempt to clear the airway.

Got it! Another question...Dr ordered an x-ray for her, she has had asthma for 27 years (she is 57)...what is the reason for x-ray? Is it to rule out other problems?

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

To look for any other pathology that cause the flare. You mentioned SOB/cough/FEVER....what would the MD be looking for with a fever? Infection/pneumonia right? Then they would not only have to treat the asthma but the underlying cause of the infection which would possibly include the use of antibiotics.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

Maybe she has a GI bug or some other (GI, increased ICP, med toxicity, psych...) etiology for vomiting-- it's always OK to have more than one thing wrong with you. People do it all the time. :)