Asthma Flashcards
what is asthma?
reversible obstruction of bronchioles (small airways)
what causes asthma?
allergens that lead to inflammation/narrowing of bronchioles-thick mucus forms= reduced air flow
what are the symptoms of asthma?
wheeze
breathless
cough
what is the assessment to check the severity of asthma? and what does it measure?
peak expiratory flow rate
-measures how quickly you can blow air out of lungs
when is PEFR normally worse?
mornings
what questions should you ask about PEFR?
todays PEFR and best PEFR
what are the mild/severe/LT PEFR levels?
50-75%
33-50%
<33%
How many times a day would a patient use SABA reliever that may suggest unstable conditions?
4/5 times per day
what sort of things would suggest increased severity of chronic asthma?
restriction of activities
worsening symptoms
frequent use of relievers i.e SABA
use of LAMA (ICS), montelukast (help inflammation), theophylline (bronchiodilator), oral corticosteroids
not taking treatment as prescribed
recent infections
what is used for mild intermittent asthma?
SABA reliever
What is used in addition to SABA as a preventer
low dose inhaled corticosteroid (LAMA)
what is added if SABA reliver and LAMA preventer is not sufficient?
LABA
-if not sufficient then increased LAMA dose and stop LABA
-if LABA works but still not sufficient- use LABA and increase LAMA
If saba, lama and laba are insufficient what should you add?
other drug therapies such as montelukast and theophylinne
what should you add if all other drug therapies are not sufficient?
increase LAMA
use oral corticosteroids
what are the symptoms of moderate acute asthma?
PEFR of 50-75%
-no symptoms of acute severe asthma
