Asthma

Question 1

What is Asthma?

Answer 1

Generalised narrowing of the airways which varies over short periods of time either spontaneously or as a result of treatment

Question 2

What are the features of asthma?

Answer 2

Cough and wheeze
Chest tightness and breathlessness
Early onset
Daily variation
Night/ early morning symptoms
Associated allergic diseases
FHx of asthma
Largerly reversible airflow obstruction

Question 3

How do you diagnose asthma?

Answer 3

> History
> Serial peak flow
> Spirometry assessed response to bronchodilators
> Response to inhaled steroids
> Positive exercise test

Question 4

What is the treatment of asthma?

Answer 4

> Bronchodilators (SABAs/ LABAs)
> Inhaled corticosteroids
> Oral steroids
> Leukotriene antagonist
> Theophylline

Question 5

What are the RCP three questions?

Answer 5

> Have you had difficulty sleeping because of your asthma symptoms
Have you had your usual asthma symptoms during the day
Has your asthma interfered with your usual activites?

Question 6

What is symbicort?

Answer 6

A combination inhaler with budesonide and formoterol

Question 7

What should an action plan be?

Answer 7

> Including 2-4 action points (incl. inhaled and oral corticosteroids in exacerbations)
Be based upon personal peak flow rate

Question 8

What should you put on an action plan in order to alert the patient of when their asthma is controlled? (specifically how much their peak flow shoulc be)

Answer 8

> 85% of personal best

Question 9

What can peak flow be between if asthma is getting worse?

Answer 9

70% to 85% of best