The nurse is assessing a patient with asthma. Which of the following would indicate that the patient's asthma is severe persistent?

Explanation

•With mild persistent asthma, symptoms occur between two and six times a week.

•With mild intermittent asthma, symptoms occur twice a week or less. Exacerbations last hours to days, but the patient has no symptoms in between exacerbations. Nocturnal symptoms occur occasionally.

•With moderate persistent asthma, daily symptoms occur, affecting the level of physical activity. The daily use of a beta-agonist inhaler is usually required, and exacerbations occur at least twice weekly, lasting for days. Nocturnal symptoms occur at least once a week.

•With severe persistent asthma, symptoms are continuous, impacting the patient's physical activity levels. Nocturnal symptoms and exacerbations occur frequently.

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