RCP 3 Questions (asthma control)
Quick asthma morbidity screen (3 yes/no).
What it is for
Every asthma review. Any "yes" suggests suboptimal control.
Use the working calculator
The working RCP 3 Questions (asthma control) calculator is on our calculators page. It is free and needs no account. Enter the values and it shows the result with the reading that goes with it.
The calculators are free. The trial opens the protocols and pathways they link to.What you enter
The calculator asks for 3 items.
- In the last week/month: difficulty sleeping due to asthma (incl. cough)? (1 point)
- Usual asthma symptoms during the day (cough, wheeze, chest tightness, breathlessness)? (1 point)
- Asthma interfering with usual activities (housework, work, school)? (1 point)
How the result is read
The result is shown as RCP "yes" answers, out of a maximum of 3.
The calculator reads each total as follows. Where a single answer changes the reading (for example sex, age or one extreme value), the working calculator says so.
| Total | Band | What the calculator says |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Good control | Continue current therapy; check inhaler technique + adherence. All three "no" = good control this period. |
| 1 | Suboptimal | Review technique/adherence/triggers; consider stepping up. Any "yes" indicates morbidity. |
| 2 to 3 | Poor control | Assess for exacerbation; optimise/step up therapy; written action plan. Multiple positives — poorly controlled asthma. |
Sources
These are the sources the calculator cites. Check the current version before relying on a threshold.
Related
For qualified clinicians. A score supports a clinical decision and does not make it: check the inputs, read the cited source, and use the tools in your clinical system for patient care where one is provided.