Asthma Flashcards
Features of moderate asthma exacerbation?
Oxygen 92% or above
Peak flow 50% or above
No features of severe attack present
Management of moderate asthma exacerbation?
SABA inhaler, 4 puffs initially then 2 puffs every 2 mins to a maximum of 10 puffs
Oral prednisolone
Features of severe asthma exacerbation?
One of: Peak flow below 33-50% Tachypnoea (over 25) and cardia (over 110) Accessory muscle use Can't speak properly
Management of severe asthma exacerbation?
Oxygen SABA inhaled 10 puffs or nebulised Oral prednisolone or IV hydrocortisone Nebulised ipratropium bromide Repeat every 20-30 mins
Features of a life-threatening asthma exacerbation?
Any one of: Oxygen sats less than 92% Silent chest Altered consciousness Poor respiratory effort Cyanosis Peak flow below 33%
Management of a life-threatening asthma exacerbation?
Oxygen
Nebulised SABA and ipratropium bromide
IV hydrocortisone
IV magnesium sulphate
Consider PICU, where they’ll give IV salbutamol and aminophylline
Long term management of asthma in a child under 5?
- SABA + ICS
- Either leukotriene receptor antagonist OR inhaled corticosteroid 200mcg
- Add whichever of the above you haven’t used yet
- Refer
Long term management of asthma in a child 5-12 years old?
- SABA
- Add inhaled corticosteroid 200mcg
- Add LABA, if not effective increase IC to 400mcg
- Increase IC to 800mcg
- Add oral prednisolone and refer
Long term management of asthma in a child over 12?
As adult management
- SABA
- Inhaled corticosteroid 400mcg
- Add LABA, if not effective increase IC to 800mcg
- Add leukotriene, increase IC to 2000mcg
- Add oral prednisolone
Long term management of asthma in an adult?
- SABA
- Inhaled corticosteroid 400mcg
- Add LABA, if not effective increase IC to 800mcg
- Add leukotriene, increase IC to 2000mcg
- Add oral prednisolone
Pathophysiology of asthma?
Exacerbations triggered by allergen, URTI, cold air, exercise etc.
These trigger inflammation of airways: WBC infiltration, excess mucus, bronchospasm
Airway obstruction leads to symptoms
Presentation of asthma?
An acute attack, but sometimes chronic symptoms come out in history
Breathing difficulty, respiratory distress Cough (at night) Wheeze Anxious Tachypnoea and cardia
What is atopy?
Tendency to produce antibodies and have allergic reactions to common environmental antigens (pollen, animal dander, house dust mite faeces)
Hayfever, eczema, asthma
List one or a few of each used in asthma?
- SABA
- LABA
- leukotriene receptor antagonist
- anti-cholinergic bronchodilator
- inhaled corticosteroid
- oral steroid?
SABA: salbutamol
LABA: salmeterol, formoterol
Leukotriene: montelukast
Anti-cholinergic bronchodilator: tiotropium
Inhaled corticosteroid: budesonide, beclometasone, fluticasone
Oral steroid: prednisolone
What type of drug is ipratropium bromide? In what cases is it used to treat asthma?
It’s an anti-cholinergic bronchodilator
Nebulised and given in severe or life-threatening attacks