Asthma

Question 1

What is asthma

Answer 1

A long term respiratory condition

Question 2

What is asthma associated with

Answer 2

Chronic bronchial inflammation increased mucus production and tissue oedema

Question 3

What can a patient with asthma have

Answer 3

Episodes of acute bronchial hypersensitivity and brzonchoconstriction

Question 4

How do patient with asthma present

Answer 4

Breathlessness, wheezing and coughing

Question 5

How many people in the uK are receiving asthma treatment

Answer 5

5.4 million

Question 6

Asthma accounts for how many primary care consultations in the UK

Answer 6

2-3%

Question 7

Asthma accounts for how many Hospital admissions in the UK

Answer 7

60,000

Question 8

Asthma accounts for how many bed days per year in the UK

Answer 8

200,000

Question 9

Patients with asthma present with what the of breath sounds

Answer 9

Wheezing

Question 10

Why do people with asthma wheeze

Answer 10

Reduced lumen size from acute brichonocontriction and tissue oedema causes air to become trapped in the lungs
Increased airway resistance results in An expiratory wheeze

Question 11

Describe a typical presentation of a patient with asthma

Answer 11

1. Wheeze
2. Breathlessness
3. Cough
4. Tight chest

Question 12

What do we look at when assessing asthma severity

Answer 12

1. Respiratory rate
2. Heart rate
3. Oxygen saturation
4. Peak expiratory flow
5. Other indications

Question 13

What is the respiratory rate for a patient with moderate asthma

Answer 13

less than 25 bmp

Question 14

What is the heart rate for a patient with moderate asthma

Answer 14

Less than 110 bmp

Question 15

What are the oxygen saturations levels for a patient with moderate asthma

Answer 15

more than 92%

Question 16

What is the peak expiratory flow for a patient with moderate asthma

Answer 16

Between 50-75%

Question 17

What is the respiratory rate for a patient with acutely severe asthma

Answer 17

25 bmp or more

Question 18

What is the heart rate for a patient with acutely severe asthma

Answer 18

110 bmp or more

Question 19

What are the oxygen saturations for a patient with acutely severe asthma

Answer 19

more than 92%

Question 20

What is the peak expiratory flow for a patient with acutely severe asthma

Answer 20

33-50%

Question 21

What is the respiratory rate for a patient with life threatening asthma

Answer 21

25 bmp or more

Question 22

What is the heart rate for a patient with life threatening asthma

Answer 22

arrhythmia

Question 23

What are the oxygen saturations for a patient with life threatening asthma

Answer 23

less than 92%

Question 24

What is the peak expiratory flow for a patient with life threatening asthma

Answer 24

Less than 33%

Question 25

Why are peak expiratory flow assessments useful

Answer 25

1. Can give reliable pre/post treatment comparison
2. Can identify acute severe asthma in cases where the speech, respiratory rate or pulse rate do not cause immediate concern

Question 26

In a primary care setting how should asthma be managed

Answer 26

Effective use of salbutamol inhalers

Question 27

Ho many doses of salbutamol can be administered

Answer 27

10 doses in a 10-20 minute period

Question 28

How do we assess oxygen saturation

Answer 28

A pulse oximeter

Question 29

When should a patietn be treated for hypoxia

Answer 29

If there have an oxygen saturation of below 94% (or 88% in patties who are at high risk of hypercapnia)

Question 30

How should patients with hypoxia be treated

Answer 30

With oxygen

Question 31

What is hypercapnia

Answer 31

Build up of carbon dioxide in the blood

Question 32

How do we treat patients with low risk of hypercapnia

Answer 32

5-10 L/min of oxygen via a simple face mask

Aim for the oxygen saturation to increase to 94-98%

Question 33

How do we treat patients with high risk of hypercapnia

Answer 33

1-2 L/min of oxygen via a nasal cannula

Aim for the oxygen saturation to increase to 88-92%