Asthma- Management

Question 1

What are the 4 core components of asthma management?

Answer 1

• assess control and risk of exacerbation
• self management education- written action plan
• ID triggers and environmental controls
• pharmacologic treatment to achieve/maintain control and minimize exacerbations

Question 2

What is the therapeutic objective of asthma management

Answer 2

normalize breathing by controlling bronchospasm and inflammation

*inflam can increase risk CA

Question 3

A key part of management is assessing for risk of severe exacerbation.

What are the 4 risk factors for higher risk of exacerbation

having any 1 of these 4 puts you at higher risk

Answer 3

• hx of prior exacerbation
• poorly controlled asthma
• overuse of SABA
• current smoker

Question 4

What qualifies as overuse of SABA

Answer 4

use of more than 2 inhalers of SABA in a year

Question 5

For patients with poorly controlled asthma what should be assessed and corrected prior to or in conjunction with escalation of pharmacologic therapy

Answer 5

reasons for poor control

Question 6

What should you assess when thinking about reasons for poor control?

5

Answer 6

• adherence
• inhalation technique
• if using empty inhaler
• environmental exposures
• key comorbidities (GERD, rhinosinusitis, anxiety/depression, vocal cord issues)

Question 7

People with well controlled asthma can still _

Answer 7

be at risk for exacerbation

its important to assess for risk factors at each visit