Asthma

Question 1

What are the four common sx that patients experience with asthma?

Answer 1

dry cough
chest tightness
wheezing
SOB

Question 2

cough, wheeze, chest tightness, anxiety, tachypnea, retractions, nasal flaring, tripoding, decreased breath sounds, lethargy are likely signs of what?

Answer 2

An acute asthma attack

Question 3

This is the best first line test for asthma and can be used on PT 5 years old and older?

Answer 3

Spirometry

Question 4

if daytime sx occur >2x/week -or- nighttime cough >2x/month its considered what type of asthma?

Answer 4

persistent

Question 5

This type of asthma includes having sx once or twice a week only

Answer 5

intermittent

Question 6

Treatment for intermittent asthma in children 0-4y/o?

Answer 6

PRN SABA

Question 7

Treatment for persistent asthma in children 0-4y/o?

Answer 7

daily low dose inhaled corticosteroid & SABA for rescue

Question 8

How long should an asthma tx be taken before deciding its not working?

Answer 8

3 months

Question 9

In patients 5-11y/o, what is the treatment for asthma if the low dose inhaled corticosteroid and PRN SABA (step 2) aren’t working?

Answer 9

Move to step 3 :SMART therapy with single inhaler for maintenance and acute relief; Symbicort or Dulera

Question 10

What is an acute asthma attack that doesn’t respond to therapy and requires hospitalization

Answer 10

status asthmaticus

Question 11

TX for status asthmaticus?

Answer 11

admit to hospital
O2
nebulizer (SABA and anticholinergic)
oral/IV corticosteroids

Question 12

If initial tx doesn’t work for a patient with status asthmaticus, what is the next step?

Answer 12

magnesium sulfate

Question 13

What are the 3 indications for referring an asthma PT to pulmonology?

Answer 13

• 0-4y/o consult if on step 3 or higher
• Life threatening asthma attack
• Poor response to therapy