For those of you that have a CPAP protocol, what does it state for use with asthma patients? Our protocol states asthma is not a contraindication, but it is a precaution. I am having a hard time understanding the pathophysiology behind this. It seems like CPAP would be very helpful in asthma when combined with bronchodilators, because it would splint the airways open, push mucous out of the way, and push the bronchodilators into the alveoli. I understand that asthma patients are having trouble with exhalation due to constricted bronchioles and mucous production. The RT who introduced this protocol stated CPAP would not allow the pt to exhale, but if you are getting the airways open, it should resolve that problem. I'm sure Bi-PAP is a better option, because you can set a lower pressure for exhalation. I have used CPAP on asthma pts before, and it prevented the necessity of intubation. The patients improved drastically. So, I don't understand the problem. Can anyone explain more?