Which position is commonly used to improve breathing in an acute asthma attack?

• A. Supine
• B. High Fowler's
• C. Lateral decubitus
• D. Trendelenburg

Answer: (B)

In an acute asthma attack, the goal is to maximize chest expansion and reduce the work of breathing. High Fowler's position—sitting upright with the head and chest elevated, often with the patient leaning forward and arms supported—optimizes the mechanical advantage of the breathing muscles. This upright posture allows the diaphragm to descend more fully and gives the chest wall room to expand, while the forward lean helps recruit accessory muscles to assist ventilation. The other positions don’t improve ventilation as effectively: lying flat limits diaphragmatic movement, lying on the side doesn’t specifically relieve dyspnea in this context, and a head-down tilt can hinder diaphragmatic excursion and worsen breathing effort. Thus, High Fowler's position best supports breathing during an acute asthma attack.