Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario

Asthma Assessment Tools

The following is a list of tools that can be used to assess asthma control; the list is not exhaustive. The tools below were identified from information within the systematic review, from AGREE II-appraised guidelines, by the expert panel, and/or by external stakeholder feedback. Inclusion of a tool in this list does not constitute an endorsement by RNAO. It is important to select a tool that is appropriate for use in the setting in which you practise and that is suitable for your scope of practice.

 

Tool

Description of Tool

Source/Website

Validation Studies Located

Asthma Control Test (ACT)

Aim: To identify patients with poorly controlled asthma.

 

Intended population: 12+

 

The ACT has 5 questions: 3 related to symptoms, 1 to medication use, and 1 to overall control.

 

http://www.asthmacontroltest.com/

Yes

Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ)

Aim: To measure the adequacy of clinical asthma control.

 

Intended population: adults with asthma (17 years and older).

 

The ACQ has 7 questions: 5 related to symptoms, 1 to beta2-agonist use, and 2 related to FEV1 (completed by clinic staff).

 

https://www.qoltech.co.uk/index.htm

Yes

Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ)

Aim: The AQLQ was developed to measure the functional problems (physical, emotional, social, and occupational) that are most troublesome to adults (17–70 years) with asthma.

 

There are 32 questions in the AQLQ in 4 domains: symptoms, activity limitation, emotional function, and environmental stimuli).

 

The overall AQLQ score is the mean of all 32 responses and the individual domain scores are the means of the items in those domains.

 

https://www.qoltech.co.uk/index.htm

Yes

Mini Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (mini AQLQ)

Aim: The mini AQLQ is closely related to the larger questionnaire and was developed to measure the functional impairments that are most troublesome to adult patients (17–70) as a result of their asthma.

 

There are 15 questions in 4 domains: symptoms, activity limitations, emotional function, and environmental stimuli.

https://www.qoltech.co.uk/index.htm

Yes

 

 

Chronic Disease
Adult Asthma Care Guidelines for Nurses: Promoting Control of Asthma
Sample Tools