Asthma Flashcards
A chronic inflammatory lung disease that results in variable episodes of airflow obstruction that’s usually reversible is defined as:
asthma
What is the curent prevalence of asthma:
children, boys, women
What ethnicity has the highest asthma morbidity and mortality:
African Americans
What are the types of episodes experienced in asthma attacks:
recurrent episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, cough all happening typically at night or early in the morning
What is the genetic influence in relation to asthma:
Atopy which is the body producing an antibody, immunoglobulin- E, that responds to common allergens
What can immunoglobulin E trigger in a pt:
allergic rhinitis, asthma, hay fever, eczema
How does the immune response affect asthma:
hygiene hypothesis suggest that baby’s need to be exposed to things that cause allergies in order to not be allergic or have asthmatic episodes
How do allergens affect asthma:
House mites, dander
How does exercise affect asthma:
Exercise induced asthma occurs AFTER vigorous activity and usually in the cold
How does air pollutants trigger asthma:
Ozone, pollution, and smoking trigger asthma
How does occupational factors trigger asthma:
agricultural workers, painters, plastic mechanics, cleaning work
How do respiratory infections trigger asthma:
VIRAL infections such as RSV (respiratory syncytial virus in children) and the rhinovirus are two major factors in the development of asthma d/t causing the bronchial system to be hyperresponsive
How do nose and sinus problems affect asthma:
Allergic rhinitis is a major predictor in adult asthma; sinusitis must be treated and nasal polyps removed for asthma to be better controlled
How do drugs and food additives affect asthma:
Pts with sinusitis and lrg nasal polyps are sensitive to specific drugs. Asthma triad (nasal polyps, asthma, and sensitivity)are sensitive to ASA and NSAIDs; Beta blockers 2 may trigger asthma d/t bronchospasm; ACE inhibitors trigger cough; Food dye tartrazine (Yellow color)
How does gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) affect asthma:
Typically causes nocturnal asthma (can occur in the day) by stomach acid being aspirated into the lungs triggering vagal stimulation and bronchoconstriction
How do psychological factors affect asthma:
Strong emotions (stress, laughter) can cause hyperventilation or hypocapnia which can lead to airway narrowing
What are the characteristics of asthma:
recurring variable S/S; airflow obstruction; bronchial hyper-responsiveness
What is the key feature of asthma:
inflammation which will lead to cough, chest tightness, wheeze, dyspnea
In the pathophysiology of asthma, what occurs, after exposure to allergens or irritants:
Mast cells, epithelial cells, and IgE bodies are released
During the inflammatory cascade response, what do the mast cells and epithelial cells produce:
mast cells degranulate to release leukotrienes, histamine, cytokines, PGs, and nitric oxide=vasodilation/cap permeability and cellular infiltration; epithelial cells produce cytokines too
What is the resulting inflammatory process result in:
vascular congestion, airway edema, thick tenacious mucus, bronchial muscle spasm, thickening of airway walls, increased bronchial hyper-responsiveness
What is the response to increased lung volume from trapped air and airflow limitation:
hyperventilation
Hyperventilation will cause:
decrease perfusion and ventilation of the alveoli; early hypoxemia w/decreased CO2 and increased pH (low CO2 and high ph = respiratory alkalosis)
What will occur if respiratory alkalosis isn’t resolved:
CO2 will normalize as the pt tires and then will increase to produce respiratory acidosis (an OMINOUS sign of RESPIRATORY FAILURE)
