ASTHMA SDLP

Question 1

Define asthma.

Answer 1

Asthma is a chronic obstructive disease of the airways that causes intermittent airway obstruction and hyper-responsiveness of the airways to multiple stimuli.

Question 2

The four main symptoms of asthma are:

Answer 2

1) Wheeze
2) Chest tightness
3) Shortness of breath
4) Cough

Question 3

The narrowing of the airways in an asthma attack is caused by:

Answer 3

1) Smooth muscle contraction of the airways
2) Mucosal oedema
3) Increased mucus secretions

Question 4

List three common “triggers” which may stimulate an asthma attack in children.

Answer 4

Infections

2) Irritants
3) Inhaled allergens

Question 5

Children with asthma have abnormally sensitive airways in their lungs.

a. True
b. False
c. Unsure

Answer 5

a) True

Question 6

Asthma is often found in more than one member of a family

a. True
b. False
c. Unsure

Answer 6

a. True

Question 7

Reliever medication, given on a regular basis, is used to prevent attacks of asthma.

a. True
b. False
c. Unsure

Answer 7

b. False

Question 8

Asthma cannot be cured.

a. True
b. False
c. Unsure

Answer 8

a. True

Question 9

The best way to measure the severity of a child’s asthma is for a doctor to listen to his/her chest.

a. True
b. False
c. Unsure

Answer 9

a. False

Question 10

Children with frequent asthma should have preventative medication.

a. True
b. False
c. Unsure

Answer 10

a. True

Question 11

A severe asthma attack rarely comes on without warning.

a. True
b. False
c. Unsure

Answer 11

b. True

Question 12

List the 3 changes that take place in the airways during an asthma attack:

Answer 12

Hyperresponsiveness

Inflammatory response – mucosal oedema and increased mucus secretion

Constriction of the smooth muscle of the airway

Question 13

What would you consider to be the four most common symptoms of asthma?

Answer 13

a. Wheeze
b. Chest tightness
c. SOB
d. Cough

Question 14

List four of the major trigger factors for asthma and give an example of each.

Answer 14

Infections of the respiratory tract	 
Exercise
Irritants		
Emotional factors
Inhaled allergens 
Various foods

Question 15

A wheeze in children is always consistent with a diagnosis of asthma.

a. True
b. False

Answer 15

False

Question 16

A positive response to broncholdilators is suggestive of an asthma diagnosis in children.

a. True
b. False

Answer 16

True

Question 17

Which of these medications is NOT a medication used to relieve the symptoms of asthma?

a. Salbutamol
b. Theophylline
c. Atrovent
d. Beclomethasone

Answer 17

d. Beclomethasone

Question 18

Inhaled corticosteroids

a. Are best distinguished by their brown/orange packaging
b. Can cause oral thrush
c. Reduce the need for reliever medication
d. All of the above

Answer 18

d. All of the above

Question 19

Use of theophylline should be monitored closely due to:

a. The patients preferences
b. Symptom control
c. Toxicity
d. Doctor’s preference

Answer 19

c. Toxicity

Question 20

In an acute episode a 4 year old patient should receive how many puffs of Ventolin through his spacer
for a full dose:

a. 2 puffs
b. 6 puffs
c. 12 puffs
d. Up to the discretion of the nurse.

Answer 20

b. 6 puffs

Question 21

Spacer devices used to deliver inhaled medication to children with asthma:

a. Have been shown to be as effective as nebulisers.
b. Should be cleaned once per week in clean soapy water.
c. Are sent to HSSD for cleaning once no longer required.
d. All of the above

Answer 21

d. All of the above

Question 22

A child presents with an acute episode of asthma. Describe the signs and symptoms of an acute asthma attack?

Answer 22

• Restlessness, apprehension and an anxious facial expression
• Often appears pale with flushed cheeks and red ears. The lips may be a deep, dark red in color. Cyanosis may develop as the attack progresses (seen around lips and nail beds)
• Has a tendency to sit upright with shoulders in a hunched over position.
• Exhaustion/inability to walk more than a few steps in severe cases.
• Sweating may occur as attack progresses.
• Mouth breathing
• Audible wheeze
• Children in respiratory distress may be unable to speak in sentences. They will talk using single words, or short phrases.

Question 23

Which of the above signs would alert you to impending respiratory failure in a child with an acute asthma attack?

Answer 23

cyanosis may develop, Nails bed and around lips.

The lips may be dark red in colour.

The child may be wheezing, having difficulty of breathing.

Question 24

Discharge planning for the child with asthma:

a. Is only done by the Asthma Nurses.
b. Is also the responsibility of the ward nurse looking after the patient.
c. Only occurs at time of discharge.
d. Is a waste of time due to poor compliance rates.

Answer 24

b. Is also the responsibility of the ward nurse looking after the patient.

Question 25

An infant is admitted with an upper respiratory tract infection and wheeze requiring salbutamol to support his/her respiratory effort. What paperwork would you give to the parents?

a. “The Wheezing Child” Bear Facts sheet
b. Information and demonstration on puffer technique
c. “Caring for your child’s asthma” handbook
d. a and b

Answer 25

d. a and b

Question 26

An Asthma Action Plan:

a. Must be filled out and discussed by a medical officer or Asthma Nurse.
b. Should be filled out for ALL children requiring ongoing treatment for symptoms.
c. Needs to be part of the discharge planning.
d. All of the above.

Answer 26

d. All of the above.