Asthma and Respiratory Flashcards
Define Asthma
a chronic airway inflammatory disease characterized by the infiltration of airway T cells, mast cells, basophils, macrophages, and eosinophils.
The interaction among the cells and chemicals in the inflammatory process associated with asthma cause what 4 things?
- bronchial muscle constriction
- mucous secretion
- swelling of the bronchial tube inner lining
- and coughing.
What characterizes asthma?
Airflow obstruction
1. bronchial hyper-responsiveness
2. airway edema
3. mucous production
What occurs in the early phase response of asthma?
“Allergies” for 1-2 hours
Eosino and basophils cause bronchocontriction
Easily reversible and not very long
What occurs in the late phase/delayed reaction of asthma?
Secondary infiltration of cells persisting for hours-days that can cause damage to smooth muscles
What characterizes silent asthma?
Frequent coughing, especially at night due to pooling of secretions
What characterizes severe persistent asthma?
- Symptoms throughout day
- Waking up more than once/week
- Uses SABA/Ventolin several times a day
- Normal activity severely limited
What is the prevalence of asthma amongst Canadian children?
10-20%
What are reasons for the increase in the incidence of asthma?
- increased urbanization and air pollution
- second/third hand smoke
- increased technology/lack of physical activity
- more accurate diagnosis
What are symptom triggers of asthma and give examples?
Usually end up as early phase response/easier to control
- exercise
- smoking
- hot/cold air
- strong fumes
What are examples of inflammatory triggers of asthma?
- Viral resp infections
- animal
- moulds
- pollens
- air pollutants
What is the most common cause of an asthma exacerbation?
Respiratory infections
What are protective factors against asthma?
*related to exposure immunity
- large family
- later birth order
- childcare attendance
- dog in family
- living on farm
What 4 things does the PRAM (Pediatric Respiratory Assessment Measure) primarily assess?
- Oxygen Saturation
- Use of accessory muscles
- Air entry in both lungs
- Wheezing
What are the additional indicators used as assessments on the PRAM?
- nasal flaring
- reduced activity level, inability to feed/speak in full sentences
- decreased level of alertness, mental agitation, drowsiness or confusion
Define the scores for a mild, moderate, and severe PRAM
Mild: 0-3
Moderate: 4-7
Severe: 8-12
Define the following characteristics someone would need to be rated 0-3 PRAM for:
- mental status:
- activity
- speech
- WOB
- Auscultation
- SpO2 on RA
- Peak Flow
- normal
- normal activity/exertional dyspnea
- normal
- minimal intercostal retractions
- moderate wheeze
- > 94%
- > 80%
Define the following characteristics someone would need to be rated 4-7 PRAM for:
- mental status:
- activity
- speech
- WOB
- Auscultation
- SpO2 on RA
- Peak Flow
- slightly agitated
- decreased activity or feeding
- in phrases
- intercostal and substernal retractions
- loud pan- expiratory and inspiratory wheeze
- 91-94%
- 60-80%
Define the following characteristics someone would need to be rated 8-12 PRAM for:
- mental status:
- activity
- speech
- WOB
- Auscultation
- SpO2 on RA
- Peak Flow
- agitated
- decreased, stops feeding
- in words
- all accessory muscles, nasal flaring, paradoxical thoraco-abd
- 91-94%
- <60%
What 6 tests are used to diagnose asthma?
- Pulse Ox
- Chest X Ray
- Blood Gases
- Pulmonary Function Tests
- Peak Expiratory Flow Rate
- Allergy Testing
Define the following characteristics someone would need to be rated impending respiratory failure on PRAM for:
- mental status:
- activity
- speech
- WOB
- Auscultation
- SpO2 on RA
- Peak Flow
- drowsy/confused
- unable to eat
- unable to speak
- marked distress at rest
- chest is silent/absent wheeze
- < 90%
- unable to perform task
What is the treatment of an asthma patient with a mild PRAM?
- Keep O2 > 92%
- Salbutamol q 30-60min x 1-2 doses
- Consider oral steroids
What is the treatment of an asthma patient with a moderate PRAM?
- Keep O2 > 92%
- Salbutamol q30 min x 2-3doses
- Oral Steroids
- Consider Ipratropium
What is the treatment of an asthma patient with a severe PRAM?
- Keep O2 > 92%
- Salbutamol + Ipratropium q20 min x3doses
- Oral steroids
- Consider IV methylprednisolone
- Consider continuous SABA
- Consider IV Magnesium sulphate
What is the use of magnesium sulphate for asthma patients?
IV magnesium sulfate may be considered for patients with severe exacerbations not responding to initial treatment. Magnesium sulfate is not recommended for routine use
What is a SABA for asthma?
Short acting beta agonist
Salbutamol or Atrovent
Rescue Medication
What is a LABA for asthma?
Long acting beta agonist
Salmeterol
Used for long term maintenance alongside inhaled corticosteroids
Pre-exercise
What are anticholinergics used for in asthma therapy? and give example
Ipratropium or Atrovent: inhibits bronchoconstriction and decreased mucous production; Inhaled ipratropium bromide can be used as an add-on therapy to ß2-agonists