Asthma Flashcards
what is the most common cause of recurrent wheezing in children under 5yrs
Asthma
Following bronchodilator inhalation, the minimum improvement in FEV1 or FVC consistent with reversibility is
12%
What is the most commonly used bronchoprovocative agent
methacoline
name a couple secondary bronchoprovocative agents that can be used
histamine and hypertonic (or hypotonic) saline used less commonly than methacoline
What defines a positive test for asthma in terms of decline in FEV1 in response to a bronchoprovocative agent?
A positive test is defined as a 20% decline in FEV1 but it does NOT diagnostic of asthma
Is a positive bronchoprovocative test diagnostic of asthma?
No, COPD, emphasema or even 8% normal pt’s can have a positive test
What severity category corresponds with an FEV1 of 70%
persistent moderate
Name 5 mediators linked to the pathophysiology of asthma include which of the following?
It is postulated that the allergic inflammation in asthma arises from an imbalance between T helper 1 (Th1) cells and T helper 2 (Th2) cells. Th2 cells release specific cytokines, including interleukin-4, -5, -9, and -13, which promote eosinophil growth and migration, as well as mast cell differentiation and IgE production. Inhaled antigens activate mast cells and Th2 cells in the airway, causing the release of histamine and cysteinyl leukotrienes (including leukotriene C4), leading to the rapid contraction of airway smooth muscle. Mast cells also can produce a variety of cytokines, including IL-1, -2, -3, -4, and -5, interferon-gamma, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and tumor necrosis factor alpha which, being pro-inflammatory proteins, can mediate both acute and chronic inflammation.
What allergen is most likely responsible for the disproportionately high morbidity from asthma among inner-city residents?
cockroach allergen and current exposure to high levels of cockroach allergen in the bedroom
What is the pathophysiology that leads to the acute asthma reaction?
Mast cell activation triggered by antigen-IgE crosslinking releases asthma mediators (e.g., histamine, leukotrienes, thromboxanes), causing smooth-muscle contraction, edema, and enhanced mucus secretion, and leading to airflow obstruction and the manifestations of acute asthma symptoms.
While some facets of asthma are reversible, changes seen in chronic, uncontrolled asthma may be irreversible. Name 5Histologic features of the irreversible airway remodeling seen in patients with chronic asthma.
Features of airway remodeling seen in patients with asthma include goblet cell hyperplasia, subepithelial fibrosis with collagen deposition, smooth-muscle hypertrophy and hyperplasia, submucosal gland enlargement, and bronchial microvascular enlargement and proliferation.
For children younger than 3 years of age who have had four or more episodes of wheezing during the previous year, elevated level of IgE is a risk factor for the development of asthma, T or F?
False Elevated IgE is not an independent risk factor. Risk factors include the presence of any two of the following: evidence of sensitization to foods, peripheral blood eosinophilia ≥4%, or wheezing apart from colds.
What are independent risk factors for a child less than 3 yrs who had four or more episodes of wheezing during the previous year to develop asthma?
a parental history of asthma, a physician diagnosis of atopic dermatitis, or evidence of sensitization to aeroallergens.
What defines Exercise Induced Asthma?
A 15% decrease in PEF or FEV1 after exercise is compatible with EIB. An exercise challenge test is used to establish the diagnosis of exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB). This can be performed in a formal laboratory setting or a free-run challenge, or by simply having the patient undertake the physical activity that previously caused the symptoms.
Name 3 Nonpharmacologic measures that reduce the likelihood of exercise-induced bronchospasm.
Long warm-up, long warm-down, breathing through nose or covering face with something like a scarf
What medication that is helpful for treating acute asthma is NOT helpful for preventing EIB
Ipratropium
true or false, exercise induced asthma is not seen in patients with persistent asthma
False. All asthmatics are susceptible to EIB
Does EIB tend to occur during exercise or after it
Most often 10-15 minutes after exercise and usually resolves in 20-30 minutes
What is the initial home management of an asthma exacerbation?
Home treatment of asthma exacerbations begins with measurement of peak expiratory flow and initial treatment with an inhaled short-acting β2-agonist, up to two treatments at a 20-minute interval.
What is considered good response to home treatment of asthma exacerbation with albuterol MDI?
resolution of symptoms and improvement in PEF to at least 80% of personal best.
Which medication is most effective for reducing the frequency of exacerbations in adults with asthma?
ICS- Inhaled corticosteroids
How long should short term therapy with oral corticosteroids continue after an asthma exacerbation requiring oral steroids?
Following an exacerbation, the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program recommends that short-term therapy with corticosteroids should be continued until the patient achieves at least 70% of his or her personal best peak flow rate or symptoms resolve. This usually requires 3–10 days, but may take longer.
Symptoms suggesting that respiratory arrest may be imminent in patients with a severe asthma exacerbation include
loss of pulsus paradoxus due to fatigue, drowsiness, loss of wheezing, paradoxical thoracoabdominal movement, bradycardia (late finding)
Risk factors for death from asthma include T/F
- Use of 1 MDI cannister per month
- Illicit drug use
- three or more emergency-care visits for asthma during the past year
- Hospitalization for Asthma in the past year
- past hx of sudden severe asthma attack
- False, 2 cannisters
- True
- True
- False, past month
- True but seems to conflict with 3,4
T/F Adjunctive treatment for an adult severe asthma exacerbation includes chest physical therapy.
Nope, has not been shown to be helpful
What characterizes asthma symptoms that are considered not well controlled?
-symptoms more than 2 days per week
-nighttime awakenings 1–3 times per week
-some limitation of normal activity
-use of a short-acting inhaled β2-agonist more than 2
days per week
-a peak flow or FEV1 that is 60%–80% of
predicted/personal best
-2 or more asthma exacerbations per year that require
systemic corticosteroid therapy
A 15 year old with mild persistent asthma is on zafirlukast (Accolate) and not well controlled. What should be done next for mediation?
Stop the “alternative tx” and go to standard or preferred treatment