ASTHMA ACTION PLAN AND PEAK FLOW MONITORING
A peak flow meter is a device that measures how well air moves out of your lungs. This measurement is referred to as your peak expiratory flow
(PEF).
HOW TO USE A PEAK FLOW METER
A.Place the indicator at the bottom of the numbered scale.
B.Stand up.
C.Take a deep breath, filling your lungs as deeply as possible.
D.Place the mouthpiece in your mouth and close your lips around it. Do not put your tongue inside the hole.
E.Blow into the mouthpiece as hard and fast as you can. It is important to give this your best effort.
F.Write down the number on the indicator. If you cough or make a mistake, do not record that number—do it over again.
G.Repeat steps A through F two more times.
H.Write down the highest number of the three attempts. This is your PEF.
CALCULATING YOUR PERSONAL BEST PEAK FLOW NUMBER
This number is the highest peak flow number you can achieve over a 2- to 3-week period when your asthma is under good control (when you do not have any symptoms). To find this number, take peak flow readings:
A.Twice daily for 2 to 3 weeks.
B.When you wake up and between noon and 2 p.m.
C.Before and after taking your quick relief medication.
D.Or as directed by your healthcare provider.
THE PEAK FLOW ZONE SYSTEM
Once you have determined your personal best peak flow number, your healthcare provider can give you the numbers that let you know what medications to take based on your PEF. The numbers are set up like a traffic light system (red, yellow, and green).
Green Zone (80%–100% of your personal best number): Signals good control. No asthma symptoms are present, and you should take your medication as usual.
Yellow Zone (50%–80% of your personal best number): Signals caution. You may be having an episode of asthma that requires an increase in your medications.
Red Zone (below 50% of your personal best number): Signals a medical alert. You must use your fast
inhaler to help open up your airways right away and call your healthcare provider immediately if your peak flow number does not return to the yellow or green zone and stay there.
Use the following Asthma Action Plan, which specifies what medications you should take when you ’are in each zone, and also use the self-assessment diary provided in Table III.1.
ASTHMA ACTION PLAN
A.My personal best PEF is ____________________________ .
B.When I am in the green zone, PEF above ____________________________ , I should continue to take my regularly scheduled asthma medications. They are:
1.___________________________________________________________
2.___________________________________________________________
3.___________________________________________________________
C.When I am in the yellow zone, PEF between ____________________________ and ____________________________ , I should add the following to my regularly scheduled medications:
1.___________________________________________________________
2.___________________________________________________________
3.___________________________________________________________
D.When I am in the red zone, PEF below ____________________________ , I should immediately take the following rescue medication and contact my healthcare provider:
1.___________________________________________________________
2.___________________________________________________________
3.___________________________________________________________
Rescue Medication: ___________________________________________
E.Other Directions: ________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
RESOURCE
American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) www.aaaai.org
PATIENT TEACHING GUIDE