Clinical feature | Assigned score | ||
Level of consciousness | |||
Normal, including sleep | 0 | ||
Disoriented | 5 | ||
Cyanosis | |||
None | 0 | ||
With agitation | 4 | ||
At rest | 5 | ||
Stridor | |||
None | 0 | ||
With agitation | 1 | ||
At rest | 2 | ||
Air entry | |||
Normal | 0 | ||
Decreased | 1 | ||
Markedly decreased | 2 | ||
Retractions | |||
None | 0 | ||
Mild | 1 | ||
Moderate | 2 | ||
Severe | 3 | ||
Total | |||
Score total | Severity | Description | Management |
≤2 | Mild | Occasional barky cough, no stridor at rest, mild or no retractions |
|
3 to 7 | Moderate | Frequent barky cough, stridor at rest, mild to moderate retractions |
|
8 to 11 | Severe | Frequent barky cough, stridor at rest, marked retractions, significant distress |
|
≥12 | Impending respiratory failure | Depressed level of consciousness, stridor at rest, severe retractions, poor air entry, cyanosis or pallor |
|
IM: intramuscular; IV: intravenous; ENT: ear, nose, throat.
* The oral liquid preparation of dexamethasone (1 mg/mL) has a foul taste. Solutions for injection are more concentrated (4 mg/mL or 10 mg/mL) and can be given orally mixed with syrup. Alternatively, oral tablets can be crushed and mixed with syrup or pureed food.
¶ Dosing and administration are as follows:
Do you want to add Medilib to your home screen?