A 10-year-old with well-documented asthma uses home peak expiratory flow monitoring. His personal best PEF is 400 L/min. One evening he records a reading of 260 L/min while feeling mildly breathless. According to the standard three-zone action plan, how should this reading be interpreted?
- A Yellow zone, 50 to 80 percent of personal best, indicating loss of control requiring rescue therapy and medical review ✓
- B Green zone, continue current medications
- C Red zone, below 50 percent of personal best, requiring emergency care immediately
- D An invalid reading because it exceeds 60 percent of predicted
Correct answer: A. Yellow zone, 50 to 80 percent of personal best, indicating loss of control requiring rescue therapy and medical review
Explanation
Action plans divide readings by personal best: green is above 80%, yellow is 50 to 80%, and red is below 50%. B value of 260 L/min is 65% of his personal best, placing him in the yellow zone, meaning worsening control that calls for rescue bronchodilator and escalation or contacting the physician. Red zone would demand immediate emergency treatment, which this value does not reach.
Reference: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics, 21st ed.
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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.