Chronic asthma

Question 1

What is the definition of asthma?

Answer 1

• episodic, reversible airway obstruction

- due to bronchial hypersensitivity to certain stimuli

Question 2

Name 4 symptoms of asthma?

Answer 2

1. Dry cough
2. Diurnal variation
3. Wheeze
4. Dyspnea

Question 3

Name 4 signs of asthma?

Answer 3

1. Hyper inflated chest
2. Wide spread polyphonic wheeze
3. Tachynea and tachycardia

Question 4

Name 3 major causes of asthma?

Answer 4

1. Atopy - T1 hypersensitivity/food/fungus
2. Stress - Cold air
3. Toxins - smoking / pollution / drugs - nsaids

Question 5

Name 5 major investigations that should be carried out?

Answer 5

1. Bloods
2. Chest X ray
3. Spirometry
4. PEFR monitoring
5. Atopy

Question 6

What are the finding in blood tests?

Answer 6

1. Esenophillia

2. IgE high

Question 7

What are the findings in CXR?

Answer 7

Hyperinflated chest

Question 8

What are the findings in spirometry?

Answer 8

1. Obstructive FEV1/FVC <0.75

and > 15% improvement after bronchodilator use.

Question 9

What are the findings in PEFR?

Answer 9

Diurnal variation > 20%

worse in the morning