Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Respiratory System > Chronic Asthma in Adults > Flashcards

Chronic Asthma in Adults Flashcards

1
Q

What is asthma?

A

Disease characterised by increased responsiveness of the trachea and bronchi to various stimuli, changes in severity spontaneously or as a response to therapy.

Causes inflammation and smooth muscle contraction causing narrowing of airways that makes expiration difficult

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Describe the genetic proven risk factor for asthma

A

Atopy - inherited tendency to IgE response to allergens, maternal atopy most influential

Immune response genes - IL-4, IL-5, IgE

Airway genes - ADAM33

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Describe proven occupational risk factors for asthma

A

Responsible for 10-15% of adult onset asthma

If working with

  • grains
  • enzymes
  • drugs
  • lab animals

If low molecular weight - non IgE
If high molecular weight - IgE

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Describe the proven risk factor of smoking for asthma

A

Maternal smoking during pregnancy increases chances of child developing asthma

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Describe how obesity may be a possible risk factor for asthma

A

High BMI associated with asthma, obesity pro-inflammatory (adipose tissue releases cytokines)

Diet, fruit and veg = protective antioxidants. Doesn’t help once you have asthma

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Describe possible environmental risk factors for asthma

A
  • house dust mite
  • cats
  • grass pollen
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Describe the aetiology of asthma

A
  • atopy (hypersensitivity reaction) IgE response to allergens
  • airway hyper responsiveness
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Describe important features of a history taking for asthma

A
  • onset
  • variation (indicative or chronic, occupational, seasonal allergies)
  • exercise tolerance
  • disturbed sleep
  • history of atopic disease
  • pets, new pillow, carpets
  • if already on inhalers
  • if used other drugs such as NSAIDs or B-blockers
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Describe the aspects of past medical history relevant to asthma

A
  • childhood asthma or bronchitis
  • Eczema
  • hay fever
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Describe the drug history associated with asthma

A
  • current inhalers, check technique
  • B-blockers
  • aspirin
  • non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
  • note effects of previous drugs/inhalers
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Describe the social history associated with asthma

A
  • smoking
  • pets
  • occupations past/present
  • psychosocial aspects (especially with difficult asthma)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Describe the pathology of asthma

A
  • inflammation of bronchi

- airflow limitation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Describe the symptoms associated with asthma

A
  • intermittent dyspneoa
  • wheeze
  • cough
  • sputum
  • increased respiratory rate
  • increased heart rate
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Describe the signs associated with asthma

A
  • tachypneoa

- wheeze (expiratory wheeze not inspiratory stridor)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Describe the features of asthma likely to be discovered upon examination

A
  • breathless on exertion
  • hyperexpanded chest
  • polyphonic wheezes
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What clinical signs indicates that asthma would not be the correct diagnosis?

A
  • clubbing
  • cervical lymphadenopathy
  • stridor
  • assymmetrical expansion
  • dull percussion note
  • crepitations ie crackling or rattling sound
17
Q

What causes exercise drive asthma?

A

Likely by a release of prostoglandins, leukotrines and histamine from mast cells.

Wheeze usually happens after exercise or inhalation of cold air

18
Q

Describe the first investigation to be carried out and the levels that show abnormality

A

Spirometry

Abnormal if:

  • FEV1/FVC <70%
  • FEV1 <80%
19
Q

Describe the purpose of full pulmonary function testing

A
  • done if spirometry is abnormal
  • trying to exclude COPD/emphysema
  • done by performing lung volume (gas trapping) tests and gas transfer tests
20
Q

Describe reversibility testing

A

Done when abnormal results from pulmonary function tests shown.

Check response to bronchodilator

  • baseline, 15 minutes post 400microg inhaled salbutamol
  • baseline, 15 minutes post neb 2.5-5mg salbutamol

Further assess by checking reversibility to oral corticosteroids

21
Q

Describe the tests that should be carried out to aid the diagnosis of asthma

A
  • Peak expiratory flow rate (PEF)
  • spirometry
  • sputum culture
  • full blood count
  • U+Es (urea and electrolytes)
22
Q

Describe different methods of management for asthma

A
  • inhaled Short Acting B-agonist
  • inhaled steroid
  • inhaled Long acting B-agonist
  • leukotriene (long acting)
  • theophylline (severe and acute asthma)
23
Q

Describe a further test that could be carried out if spirometry is normal

A

peak flow meter and chart, twice daily for 2 weeks

24
Q

State 2 specialist investigations for asthma

A
  • airway responsiveness to methacholine/histamine

- exhaled nitric oxide

25
Q

Describe other useful investigations for asthma

A
  • CXR
  • skin prick testing
  • total and specific IgE
  • full blood count

Respiratory System (20 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions