Asthma

Question 1

Define asthma.

Answer 1

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the lungs. Variable, REVERSIBLE airway obstruction. Caused by increased bronchial hyperresponsiveness.

Question 2

List the consequences of asthma.

Answer 2

increased mucus production, prolonged smooth muscle contraction, immune cell infiltration (late phase), inflammation

Question 3

What are the symptoms of asthma?

Answer 3

unproductive cough, dyspnea, chest-tightness

note: sx are episodic

Question 4

Triggers for asthma can be classified as either _______ or ________.

Answer 4

environmental, or genetic

Question 5

Describe a patient whose asthma would be staged as intermittent.

Answer 5

sx less than 2 days a week, night awakenings < 2x/month, SABA use < days/week, no interference with normal activity, 0-1 exacerbations requiring steroids, little spirometry hindrance

Question 6

Describe a patient whose asthma would be staged as mild-persistent.

Answer 6

sx > 2 days/week, night awakenings 3-4x/month, SABA use >2 days/week, minor interference with activity, little spirometry hindrance (FEV1 > 80% predicted)

Question 7

Describe a patient whose asthma would be staged as moderate-persistent.

Answer 7

sx daily, night awakenings > 1/week, SABA use daily, some limitation of normal activity, FEV1 60-80% of predicted, FEV1/FVC reduced 5%

Question 8

Describe a patient whose asthma would be staged as severe-persistent.

Answer 8

sx throughout the day, night awakenings often daily, SABA use several times/day, extreme limitation of normal activity, FEV1 > 60% predicted, FEV1/FVC reduced 5%

Question 9

When noting how often a patient uses their SABA, you should not include those times it was used for _________.

Answer 9

exercise induced bronchospasm

Question 10

FEV1 may drop by as much as ____% during an EIB episode.

Answer 10

15