Nurse vs physician decision-making in the ED for short acting β2-agonist administration in pediatric asthma.

Objective: To evaluate triage nurses' clinical judgment in determining short acting β2-agonist bronchodilator therapy need for children with shortness of breath in the pediatric emergency department, without prior physician assessment.

Methods: This prospective study compared decision-making between triage nurses and physicians regarding bronchodilator inhalation therapy necessity. Trained nurses assessed children aged 2-18 with shortness of breath, including history-taking, vital signs, and lung auscultation.