Asthma Flashcards
what are the three patterns of wheezing
viral episodi wheeze, multiple trigger wheeze and asthma
A 4 yr old boy presents to the ED with coryzal symptoms and a wheezy cough. what is the suspected diagnosis
vral episodic wheeze. usually in boys resolves by age of five, may have family history of wheezing
A 3 year old girl presents to the ED with a rattling cough SOB and a wheeze on examination. mum says iit might have been triggered by the pollen from her many fruit trees that are flowering. This is the third episode of wheezing last one was triggered by her dad smoking.
this is multiple trigger wheeze more likely to progress to asthma
what test ca be do ne to confirm atopic asthma
a skin prick test can be performed which will show atopy
what is the pathophysiology of asthma
genetics atopy and environmental triggers result in bronchial inflammation hyperresponsiveness airway narrowing with reversible airflow obstructio. This causes wheeze, cough, breathlessness and chest tightness
what is an asthmatic wheeze?
this is a polyphonic noise coming from the airways representing mayn airways of different sizing vibrating from narrowing. a prolonged expiratory phase can be appreciated
when to suspect asthma
wheeze on multiple occassions, personal or family history of atopy
wheeze can be assoc with CF. what would u expect on examination
clubbing, wet cough sputum production, finger clubbing poor growth chronic infection
In a patient with poorly controlled asthma what would you extect the peak flow to look like
increased variability in peak flow with both diurnal variability and day to day variability
what investigations can be done to assess a child with suspected asthma
peak flow meter, spirometry and skin prick test
How is asthma diagnosed with spirometry
if there is a 12 % increase in the FEV1 after bronchodilator use it is characteristic of asthma
