Asthma

Question 1

The classic symptoms of asthma

Answer 1

• Wheezing
• SOB
• Chest tightness
• Cough

Question 2

Asthma is a clinical syndrome characterized by:

Answer 2

• Airway obstruction
• airway inflammation
• airway hyperresponsiveness

Question 3

The mast cells degranulate rapidly (within 30 minutes), releasing multiple mediators
including:

Answer 3

leukotrienes
histamine
prostaglandins
platelet activating factor

Question 4

PFTs may be normal in asymptomatic patients with asthma, but more commonly they reveal some degree of airway obstruction manifested by a decreased;

Answer 4

FEV1 and FEV1/FVC ratio

Question 5

Elevated values of ______________
can also be used to support the diagnosis of asthma when eosinophilic inflammation is present.

Answer 5

exhaled nitric oxide

Question 6

The most commonly used stimulus for bronchoprovocation

Answer 6

Metacholine

Question 7

The generally accepted criterion for hyperresponsiveness is a decrease in
____ by ___ or more below the
baseline value after inhalation of methacholine

Answer 7

FEV1 by 20%

Question 8

A patient experiencing an acute asthma attack usually has a _____________ as a result of hyperventilation

Answer 8

low PaCO2

Question 9

It is recommended as part of the initial assessment of all patients being evaluated for asthma and periodically thereafter as needed.

Answer 9

Spirometry

Question 10

NAEP guidelines also recommend that home
_______ measurement be used for patients with moderate to severe asthma.

Answer 10

PEFR (Peak Expiratory Flow Rate)

Question 11

help to relieve asthma symptoms:

Answer 11

Bronchodilators such as β-2–adrenergic agonists and anticholinergics

Question 12

NAEP asthma guidelines recommend
that __________ should be considered as adjunctive therapy for patients with severe persistent asthma

Answer 12

omalizumab

Question 13

For status asthmaticus, ___________________ can be combined with bronchodilator therapy.

Answer 13

heliox (mixture of helium and O2)