In which position should a responsive patient with an acute asthma attack be placed?

For a responsive patient experiencing an acute asthma attack, the sitting upright position is ideal. This posture helps maximize the efficiency of the respiratory muscles, enabling more effective use of the diaphragm and accessory muscles for breathing. When the patient is upright, gravity assists with lung expansion, allowing for better airflow and gas exchange.

Patients with asthma often experience increased work of breathing and may have difficulty expelling air due to bronchospasm. The upright position can help alleviate some of this discomfort by providing a more open airway and reducing the effort required to breathe.

In contrast, lying supine or in a prone position can restrict airflow and make breathing more laborious. Additionally, a reclined position may not provide the same level of respiratory efficiency as sitting upright, as it can compress the thoracic cavity and hinder optimal lung expansion. Therefore, positioning the patient upright is the best approach to facilitate breathing and improve their condition during an asthma attack.