Chapter 13

Question 1

What is asthma?

Answer 1

Chronic respiratory disorder in which there is increased responsiveness of the trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles to various triggers, resulting in the narrowing of the airways.

Question 2

True or False

Asthma is a complex disease that is influenced by multiple genetic, developmental, and environmental factors.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

True or False

In the dental office setting, stress-induced asthma or an allergic response to a dental material may result in an asthmatic attack.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

True or False

The symptoms of asthma can range from mild to life threatening, they are usually controlled with a combination of medications and lifestyle changes.

Answer 4

True

Question 5

True or False

Asthma is the result of an abnormal immune response in the bronchial airways.

Answer 5

True

Question 6

True or False

Because pollution is an asthmatic trigger, this is one of the major reason for high prevalence of asthma in urban areas.

Answer 6

True

Question 7

True or False

Extrinsic asthma is the most common type accounting for 50% of asthmatics.

Answer 7

True

Question 8

What are the triggers that are used to classify asthma into five types?

Answer 8

Extrinsic
Intrinsic
Drug induced
Exercise induced
Infectious

Question 9

True or False

Intrinsic asthma is the second major category and typically develops in adults after the age of 35.

Answer 9

True (this can be found in children)

Question 10

What is drug induced asthma?

Answer 10

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including ibuprofen and aspirin, are considered triggers along with metabisulfite

Question 11

What is exercise-induced asthma?

Answer 11

Thermal changes during inhalation of cold air may prove mucosal irritation and airway hypersensitivity.

Question 12

What is the most common cause of infectious asthma?

Answer 12

Viral infection

Most frequently seen in children

Question 13

True or False

Local anesthetics with epinephrine contain sodium bisulfite, which may trigger as asthmatic attack and therefore are not recommended for asthmatic patients.

Answer 13

True

Question 14

What are the signs and symptoms of a mild asthma attack?

Answer 14

Difficult respiration
Respiration rate is slightly faster than normal range (14-20 breaths/minute)
Complete sentences can be spoken
Mild complaints of wheezing, cough, shortness of breath, or tightness in chest
Skin color is good

Question 15

What are the signs and symptoms of a moderate asthma attack?

Answer 15

Respiration is moderately difficult
Respiration rate is faster than normal
Only phrases or partial sentences can be spoken
Moderate complaints of wheezing, cough, shortness of breath, or tightness in the chest
Skin color is normal or may be pale
Slight to moderate “drawing in” of muscles between the ribs is necessary to breathe

Question 16

What are the signs and symptoms of a severe asthma attack?

Answer 16

Respiration is labored
Respiration rate is very fast or very slow with a lot of distress
Only single words or short sentences are spoken
Severe complaints of wheezing, cough, shortness of breath, or tightness in the chest
Skin color is poor
Level of awareness is decreased

Question 17

What is the appropriate position for a patient having an asthma attack?

Answer 17

Upright with arms forward

Question 18

True or False

If patients do not have their inhaler, it is recommended to give two puffs of albuterol (which takes effect shortly and has 4-6 hour duration period)

Answer 18

True

Question 19

What should be done if the asthmatic attack does not subside?

Answer 19

Additional doses of albuterol should be administered at 15 minute intervals and EMS should be contacted

Question 20

True or False

The spacer device provides more effective distribution of the inhaled drug to the lungs and reduced the need for coordination of inhalation of the drug with activation of the inhaler.

Answer 20

True

Question 21

What is the maximum dose of albuterol?

Answer 21

12 inhalations/day

Question 22

True or False

If a patient’s condition worsens they may require subcutaneous epinephrine injection

Answer 22

True