Asthma Flashcards
Asthma pathophysiology
Immune reaction to an allergen causing:
-acute airway inflammation
-bronchoconstriction
-bronchospasm
-bronchiole oedema- fluid
-mucous production
Asthma risk factors
-women although in childhood more likely to be boys
-lower socio-economic status
-obesity
-smoke exposure
-respiratory infection in childhood
-allergies
-family history
Asthma signs and symptoms
-rapid breathing
-SOB
-tight chest
-wheezing
4 stages of asthma
-mild
-moderate
-acute severe
-life threatening
Mild asthma
PEFR and characteristics
-PEFR- above 75% best or predicted
-below best level of functioning due to wheeze
Moderate asthma
signs, PEFR
-able speak in sentences
-increase symptoms
-PEFR= 50-75% of their best
Acute severe asthma
PEFR, SPO2, signs
-PEFR= 33-50%
-SPO2 above 92%
-can’t complete sentences
-tachycardia
-tachypnoea
Life threatening asthma
PEFR, SPO2, signs
-reduced LOC
-exhaustion
-cyanosis
-PEFR- less than 33%
-SPO2 less 92%
-arrythmia
-hypotension
Mild asthma treatment
-move to calm environment
-encourage inhaler
Moderate asthma treatment
-encourage use inhaler
-supply oxygen
-nebuliser with salbutamol
-if respond to treatment, supply with prednisolone (steroid) and no need to transfer
Severe asthma treatment
-give oxygen
-nebulised salbutamol
-no improvement- ipratropium bromide
-administer steroids (prednisolone)
Life threatening asthma treatment
-continuous salbutamol
-no improvement give ipratropium bromide
-single dose IV magnesium
-adrenaline- IM only
-now time critical, transfer quickly
Salbutamol
what it does, dose, how its given
-stops bronchospasms
-5mg/ 5ml
-nebulised with 6-8l oxygen
-no max dose
Ipratropium bromide
what is it, dose, administered, who benefit most
-bronchodilator drug
-500mcg/ 2ml
-nebulised 6-8l oxygen
-no repeat dose
Greatest benefit
-children suffering acute asthma
-adults with COPD
Hydrocortisone
what it does, dose, administered
-restores BP, blood sugar, helps restore shock
-suppresses inflammation and immune response
-100mg/1ml
-slow IV or IM
