According to the ASA Physical Status Classification, which of the following best describes an ASA Class III patient?

Explanation

## ASA Physical Status Classification Overview **Key Point:** ASA Class III represents a patient with **severe systemic disease** that **limits normal activity** but is **not immediately life-threatening**. ### ASA Class III Definition - Presence of severe systemic disease - Disease causes functional limitation (e.g., dyspnea on exertion, angina) - Patient is not incapacitated or bedridden - Examples: poorly controlled diabetes, moderate-to-severe COPD, stable coronary artery disease, hypertension with end-organ changes ### Quick Reference Table | ASA Class | Definition | Examples | Perioperative Risk | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | I | Healthy, no systemic disease | Young, fit, no comorbidities | Minimal | | II | Mild systemic disease, no functional limitation | Controlled HTN, mild asthma, obesity | Low | | III | Severe systemic disease, functional limitation | Poorly controlled DM, moderate COPD, CAD | Moderate | | IV | Life-threatening systemic disease | Unstable angina, severe sepsis, recent MI | High | | V | Moribund patient, not expected to survive 24 hrs | Massive trauma, ruptured AAA | Very high | | VI | Declared brain-dead, organs for donation | — | — | **High-Yield:** The key distinguishing feature of Class III is the **presence of functional limitation** (patient cannot perform normal activities) but the disease is **not immediately life-threatening**. **Clinical Pearl:** A patient with ASA Class III status requires thorough pre-operative optimization and careful anesthetic planning, but is suitable for elective surgery after risk stratification. **Mnemonic:** **SEVERE but STABLE** = ASA III. Severe disease present, but patient is stable enough for elective surgery.