Asthma Flashcards
Asthma is a chronic lung disease (no cure) that causes narrowing and inflammation of the airways (???? and ????) that leads to difficulty breathing.
bronchi and bronchioles
In patients with asthma, the bronchi and bronchioles are chronically ???? and can become so inflamed that it leads to an ???? attack.
Inflamed, asthma attack
Surrounding the bronchi and bronchioles are ???? ???? that wrap around the airway. This muscle helps with dilating and ???? the airway.
smooth muscle, constricting
???? cells produce mucous, which helps trap the irritants and bacteria we breathe in and prevent these substances from entering further into our respiratory system.
A. Red blood
B. White blood
C. Hemocrit
D. Goblet
D. Goblet cells
During an asthma attack, the mucosa becomes very inflamed (this narrows the airway…decreasing air flow and air becomes trapped in the alveoli). The goblet cells (due to the inflammatory response) produce excessive amounts of mucous. Hence, leading to further decrease in air flow: coughing, wheezing (as air tries to flow through the narrow airway and around the mucous it makes a musical whistling sound).
Asthmatic patients are at risk for
A. respiratory alkalosis
B. metabolic acidosis
C. respiratory acidosis
D. metabolic alkalosis
C. respiratory acidosis - trapped air in the alveoli, C02 is not being released leading to a buildup.
A patient exhales as hard as they can into a device called a ???? The device will then measure how much air was exhaled out of the lungs.
Peak Flow Meter
Bronchodilator types used for Asthma include:
A. Beta-agonists
B. Fluticasone
C. Anticholingerics
D. Theophylline
A, C, D
Beta-agonists* and Anticholingerics*, Theophylline
Albuterol is a long acting or short acting beta agonist?
Short acting
Salmeterol, Symbicort are examples of long acting or short acting beta agonists?
Long acting
Ipratropium: a bronchodilator that also is short-acting and relaxes airway.
Tiotropium: a bronchodilator that is long-acting
These are an examples of what type of bronchodilator and when are they used?
A. Beta agonist, asthma attack
B. Anticholinergics, used when patient cannot tolerate beta-agonist for asthma treatment.
C. Anticholinergics, as Anti-inflammatories for asthma treatment
D. Theophylline, used when patient cannot tolerate beta-agonist for asthma treatment
B. Anticholinergics, used when patient cannot tolerate beta-agonist for asthma treatment.
Theophylline is a bronchodilator, it can cause toxicity and cannot be taken with caffeine.
True or False
True
Always administer the corticosteroid FIRST and then 5 minutes later the bronchodilator .
True or False
False
Always administer the bronchodilator FIRST and then 5 minutes later the corticosteroid.
A patient with asthma is prescribed to take inhaled Salmeterol and Fluticasone for long-term management of asthma. You observe the patient taking these medications. Which option below best describes the correct order in how to take these medications?
A. The patient inhales the Salmeterol first and then waits 5 minutes before inhaling the Fluticasone.
B. The patient inhales the Fluticasone first and then waits 5 minutes before inhaling the Salmeterol.
C. The patient inhales the Salmeterol first and then waits 1 minute before inhaling the Fluticasone.
D. The patient inhales the Fluticasone and immediately inhales the Salmeterol.
The answer is A. The bronchodilator inhaler (Salmeterol) is administered first to open up the airways. Then the patient is to wait five minutes and then administer the corticosteroid (Fluticasone). The bronchodilator will open the airways so the corticosteroid can easily enter the airways to decrease inflammation.
You're assisting your patient who has asthma to bed. The patient is experiencing a frequent cough and chest tightness. You auscultate the patient's lung fields and note expiratory wheezes. The patient's peak flow rate is 78% less than their best peak flow reading. Which medication will provide the patient with the fastest relief from these signs and symptoms of an asthma attack? A. Theophylline B. Tiotropium C. Albuterol D. Cromolyn
The answer is C. During an asthma attack, the patient needs a medication that will quickly open the airways. Medications that are best for this include short-acting bronchodilators, such as Albuterol, short-acting beta agonists. Another type of short-acting bronchodilator is an anticholinergic bronchodilator called Ipratropium (this is given if a patient can’t tolerated short-acting beta agonists like Albuterol). Theophylline is a bronchodilator but given orally and is NOT for quick relief. Tiotropium is a bronchodilator, as well, but is a LONG-ACTING anticholinergic bronchodilator. Cromolyn is an inhaled nonsteroidal anti-allergy medication that doesn’t provide quick relief.
You assist your patient with using their inhaler. The inhaler contains the medication Budesonide. Before administering the inhaler, you will want to connect what device to the inhaler to help decrease the patient from developing \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_? A. Peak flow meter; pneumonia B. Incentive spirometer; thrush C. Spacer; thrush D. Peak flow meter; mouth sores
The answer is C. Budesonide is a corticosteroid. Inhaled corticosteroids can cause thrush. Therefore, it is important to connect a spacer to the inhaler before usage to help prevent the patient from developing thrush and for the patient to gargle and rinse the mouth with water.
