Asthma Flashcards
1
Q
Give 5 symptoms of asthma
A
- wheeze
- dry cough
- dyspnoea
- occasional sputum
- chest tightness
- aggravated by cold air/exercise/stress
2
Q
Give a sign of asthma
A
hyperexpanded chest
3
Q
Give 5 investigations you would do for asthma
A
- spirometry
- PEFR
- response to bronchodilator
- lung volumes
- CXR (to confirm clinical findings)
- skin prick test for atopy
- FBC
4
Q
What is step 1 treatment of asthma?
A
Short acting beta-2 agonist
e.g. salbutamol
5
Q
What is step 2 treatment of asthma?
A
Addition of an inhaled corticosteroid
e.g. beclamethosone
6
Q
What is step 3 treatment of asthma?
A
Addition of a long acting beta-2 agonist
e.g. salmeterol
7
Q
What is step 4 treatment of asthma?
A
- increase dosage of ICS
- addition of leukotriene receptor agonist
- addition of theophylline
8
Q
What is step 5 treatment of asthma?
A
Daily steroid tablet e.g. prednisolone
9
Q
Give a disadvantage to using theophylline
A
- narrow therapeutic index
- unpredictable metabolism
