When is an asthma attack classified as high risk?

An asthma attack is classified as high risk when a patient exhibits persistent abnormal mental status. This indicates a more severe level of distress or hypoxia, as the brain's function may be compromised due to insufficient oxygen. When a person is experiencing a significant asthma attack, their ability to maintain consciousness and normal cognitive function can be affected if their airway is severely obstructed. Therefore, mental status changes signal that the individual may be in a critical state that requires immediate medical intervention.

The other choices do not necessarily represent a high-risk situation. Coughing alone may be a common symptom of asthma and does not indicate the severity of an attack. Occasional wheezing is also generally expected in asthma but doesn’t imply a critical state; it usually reflects mild to moderate asthma. A rapid heart rate can occur for various reasons during an asthma attack, but it is not a definitive indicator of high risk, as it can also be a normal physiological response to the stress of an asthma attack. Thus, the presence of persistent abnormal mental status is the most reliable indicator for classifying an asthma attack as high risk, warranting immediate action.