ASTHMA Flashcards
1
Q
What is asthma?
A
inflammation of the airways
2
Q
Which form of asthma can be severe and life threatening (acute or chronic)?
A
Acute asthma
3
Q
How common is asthma?
A
common
4
Q
What are the risk factors? (10)
A
- atopy history
- family history of atopy
- environment
- socio-economic deprivation
- obesity
- prematurity and low birth weight
- viral infections in early childhood
- smoking
- maternal smoking
- early exposure to broad spectrum antibiotics
5
Q
What causes asthma? (8)
A
- cold air
- exercise
- emotions
- allergens - house dust mite, pollen, fur
- pets
- carpets
- feather pillows or duvet
- paint sprays
6
Q
What are the symptoms? (5)
A
- intermittent dyspnoea
- wheeze
- cough
- sputum
- diurnal variation
7
Q
What is diurnal variation?
A
a cycle to symptoms - peak flow low in the morning
8
Q
What are the signs? (6)
A
- tachypnoea
- wheeze
- hyper inflated chest
- hyperressonant percussion note
- decreased air entry
9
Q
What types of wheezes are there? (2)
A
- audible
2. polyphonic
10
Q
What are the signs of a severe asthma attack? (4)
A
- inability to complete sentences
- pulse > 110 bpm
- RR> 25 breaths/min
- PEF - decreased by 35-50%
11
Q
What are the signs of a life threatening attack? (6)
A
- silent chest
- confusion
- exhaustion
- cyanosis
- bradycardia
- PEF< 33%
12
Q
What is the sign of a fatal asthmatic attack?
A
increased PaCO2
13
Q
What are the differential diagnoses? (8)
A
- pulmonary oedema
- COPD
- large airway obstruction
- SVC obstruction
- pneumothorax
- PE
- bronchiectasis
- obliterative bronchiolitis
14
Q
Investigations of an acute asthma attack? (8)
A
- PEF
- Sputum culture
- FBC
- U&Es
- CRP
- blood culture
- ABG
- CXR
15
Q
What would the ABG results show in an acute attack of asthma and what is this known as (hypo or hyper-ventilation) ?
A
- normal/slightly high PaO2
- low PaCO2
- hyperventilation
