Asthma

Question 1

what are the symptoms of an asthma attack

Answer 1

cough
wheeze (sometimes not it is more common in children)
chest tightness
SOB

Question 2

what can an asthma attack lead to

Answer 2

hyperinflation of the lungs - air trapping and accordingly decreased oxygen reaching the body’s tissues and organs

Question 3

what are three words that are associated with an asthma attack

Answer 3

• unpredictable
• reversible
• triggered

Question 4

what happens within the lungs when a persons asthma is triggered

Answer 4

• smooth muscles contract and increased mucus secretions blocking airways

Question 5

what part of the lungs does asthma predominately affect

Answer 5

small airways - bronchial and bronchi - they become chronically inflamed which leads to hyper-responsiveness t certain triggers

Question 6

what are the 3 types of asthma medication

Answer 6

• preventers
• relievers
• steroid tablets

Question 7

when are preventers used?

• what can they be
• how long do they take to work
• what are some common types

Answer 7

• they are used every day to prevent symptoms from developing
• they can be inhalers or tablets
• they take days or weeks to work so need to use consistently
• common types are steroid preventers and long acting bronchodilator preventers

Question 8

what does a steroid preventer do and what is an example of one

Answer 8

• decrease swelling and prevent mucus build up

- Beclometazone (drug) come as beclazone or Quar

Question 9

what does the bronchodilator preventer do, when should you use it

Answer 9

• dilates airways for up to 24hrs

- you should only use it if you regularly use your steroid preventer (you cant get preventers that have both in them)

Question 10

When are relievers
when should they be used
what do they do
what is an example of one

Answer 10

• inhalers used to ease symptoms
• should only be used occasionally (if more than twice a weeks medication should be reviewed cos asthma is not well controlled)
• improve breathing immediately
• subutamol (drug) comes as ventalin

Question 11

when should steroid tablets be used and what do they do

Answer 11

prednisone reduces inflammation and are often prescribed when symptoms are severe or after an attack for a short course
- if they are required more than twice a year asthma meds need to be reviewed

Question 12

what do inhalers do

Answer 12

send medication directly to your lungs as a result you only need smaller doses and it can start working faster

Question 13

what are two types of inhalers

Answer 13

metered dose inhalers

dry powder inhalers

Question 14

what are three examples of dry powder inhalers

Answer 14

• turbuhalers
• accuhalers
• handihalers

Question 15

what are three medications which can trigger asthma

Answer 15

• asprin &NSAIDs
• beta blockers
• complemntary or herbal products

Question 16

what are two advantages of using a spacer

Answer 16

• you get 50% more of the medication entering the lungs

- less medication gets left in the mouth and throat which decreases the side effects of hoarseness and thrush

Question 17

how/ when should you wash a spacer?

Answer 17

• once a week

- with warm water and dishwashing liquid. don’t rinse. drip dry

Question 18

what are three things used to monitor someones asthma

Answer 18

• peakflow
• spirometry
• skin allergy testing