Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Respiratory > Asthma > Flashcards

Asthma Flashcards

1
Q

What is asthma?

A

chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways secondary to hypersensitivity.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What factors increase the risk of developing asthma?

A
  • personal or family history of atopy
  • antenatal factors (maternal smoking, viral infection during pregnancy - especially RSV)
  • Low birth weight
  • not being breastfed
  • smoking around child
  • exposure to high conc. of allergens
  • air pollution
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What other IgE-mediated atropic conditions do people with asthma also often suffer from?

A
  • Atopic dermatitis (eczema)

- allergic Rhinitis (hay fever)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What drug are some asthma patients sensitive to?

A

Aspirin

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What do patient most sensitive to asthma often suffer from?

A

Nasal polyps

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What are symptoms of Asthma?

A
  • Cough: often worse at night
  • dyspnoea
  • ‘wheeze’
  • ‘chest tightness’
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are signs of Asthma?

A
  • expiratory wheeze on auscultation

- reduced peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is spirometry?

A

a test which measure the amount (volume) and speed (flow) of air during exhalation and inhalation.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is spirometry helpful in?

A

categorising respiratory disorders as either obstructive (where there is obstruction to airflow, examples include bronchoconstriction in asthma) or restrictive (where there is restriction to the lungs, examples include lung fibrosis)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is FEV1?

A

Forced expiratory volume - volume that has been exhaled at the end of the first second of forced expiration.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is FVC?

A

Forced Vital capacity - volume that has been exhaled after a maximal expiration following a full inspiration.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What are typical spirometry results in an asthma patient?

A
  • FEV1: significantly reduced
  • FVC: Normal
  • FEV1% (FEV1/FVC): <70%
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What else might be exhaled in asthma patients?

A

Fraction exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is the correlation between NO and Asthma and why?

A

Levels of NO typically correlate with levels of inflammation as one of the types of NOS is inducible (iNOS) and levels tend to rise in inflammatory cells, particularly eosinophils.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What other investigation may be considered, especially in older patients or those with a history of smoking?

A

Chest X-ray

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is the first-line drug to be used in the management of asthma? What is an example of such drug?

A

Short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) e.g. salbutamol

17
Q

When are SABA drugs used?

A

Typically when patient develops symptoms

18
Q

How do SABA drugs work?

A

Relax the smooth muscle of airways

19
Q

What is a side-effect of SABA drugs?

A

Tremor

20
Q

What drugs are given to patients whose asthma is not controlled by SABA alone?

A

inhaled corticosteroids (ICS)

21
Q

What are examples of ICS?

A
  • Beclomethasone dipropionate

- Fluticasone propinate

22
Q

When are ICS taken?

A

Taken everyday, regardless of whether patient has symptoms or not.

23
Q

What are side effects of ICS?

A

oral candidiasis and stunted growth in children

24
Q

When are LABA’s taken?

A

Everyday, regardless of whether a patient has symptoms.

25
Q

What is an example of a LABA?

A

Salmeterol

26
Q

What is an example of a Leukotriene receptor antagonist?

A

Monteleukast

27
Q

When are Leukotriene receptor antagonists used?

A

in the management of stable adult asthma for adults not controlled with a SABA+ICS

28
Q

How are Leukotriene receptor antagonists taken?

A

Orally

29
Q

What are oral corticosteroids used to treat?

A

acute asthma attacks

30
Q

What may oral corticosteroids affect?

A

growth if used in young children

31
Q

What is an example of an oral corticosteroid?

A

Prednisolone

32
Q

Maintenance and reliever therapy (MART) is offered to patients with?

A

poorly controlled asthma

33
Q

What is MART?

A

A form of combined ICS and LABA treatment in which a single inhaler containing both ICS and fast-acting LABA, is used for both daily maintenance therapy and the relief of symptoms.

Respiratory (12 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions