ASTHMA SDLP Flashcards
Define asthma.
Asthma is a chronic obstructive disease of the airways that causes intermittent airway obstruction and hyper-responsiveness of the airways to multiple stimuli.
The four main symptoms of asthma are:
1) Wheeze
2) Chest tightness
3) Shortness of breath
4) Cough
The narrowing of the airways in an asthma attack is caused by:
1) Smooth muscle contraction of the airways
2) Mucosal oedema
3) Increased mucus secretions
List three common “triggers” which may stimulate an asthma attack in children.
Infections
2) Irritants
3) Inhaled allergens
Children with asthma have abnormally sensitive airways in their lungs.
a. True
b. False
c. Unsure
a) True
Asthma is often found in more than one member of a family
a. True
b. False
c. Unsure
a. True
Reliever medication, given on a regular basis, is used to prevent attacks of asthma.
a. True
b. False
c. Unsure
b. False
Asthma cannot be cured.
a. True
b. False
c. Unsure
a. True
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
a. False
Children with frequent asthma should have preventative medication.
a. True
b. False
c. Unsure
a. True
A severe asthma attack rarely comes on without warning.
a. True
b. False
c. Unsure
b. True
List the 3 changes that take place in the airways during an asthma attack:
Hyperresponsiveness
Inflammatory response – mucosal oedema and increased mucus secretion
Constriction of the smooth muscle of the airway
What would you consider to be the four most common symptoms of asthma?
a. Wheeze
b. Chest tightness
c. SOB
d. Cough
List four of the major trigger factors for asthma and give an example of each.
Infections of the respiratory tract Exercise Irritants Emotional factors Inhaled allergens Various foods
A wheeze in children is always consistent with a diagnosis of asthma.
a. True
b. False
False
A positive response to broncholdilators is suggestive of an asthma diagnosis in children.
a. True
b. False
True
Which of these medications is NOT a medication used to relieve the symptoms of asthma?
a. Salbutamol
b. Theophylline
c. Atrovent
d. Beclomethasone
d. Beclomethasone
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
d. All of the above
Use of theophylline should be monitored closely due to:
a. The patients preferences
b. Symptom control
c. Toxicity
d. Doctor’s preference
c. Toxicity
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.
b. 6 puffs
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
d. All of the above
A child presents with an acute episode of asthma. Describe the signs and symptoms of an acute asthma attack?
- 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.
Which of the above signs would alert you to impending respiratory failure in a child with an acute asthma attack?
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.
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.
b. Is also the responsibility of the ward nurse looking after the patient.
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
d. a and b
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.
d. All of the above.
