Management of Asthma in Adults Flashcards
What type of muscle surrounds airways?
Smooth muscle
List some of the non-pharmacological managements of asthma.
Exercise
Smoking cessation
Weight management
Flu/pneumococcal vaccines
List some of the aims of asthma treatment
no daytime symptoms
no night time wakening
no need for rescue medication
no asthma attacks
no limitations on activity including exercise & normal lung function (in practical terms FEV1 and/or PEF>80% predicted or best)
minimal side effects from medication.
What is the first step if you have a patient w suspected asthma?
Give them a low does of ICS (inhaled corticosteroids)
Describe the delivery of inhalers.
Delivers directly to target organ- lungs and airways
ARe inhalers for small or large doses of drugs?
Small
List some advantages of inhalers.
Onset of effect is faster
Minimal systemic exposure
Systemic adverse effects are less severe and less frequent
What type of inhalers are commonly used? (inhaler not medication)
Metered dose inhalers
For those who struggle to coordinate pressing the inhalers while breathing in, what is recommended?
Using their metered dose inhalers with a spacer.
What are dry powder inhalers?
Open it up and gives you a measured quantity of a dry powder to suck/inhale
Name the reliever medications.
Salbutamol (either MDI or DPI)
Terbutaline (DPI)
Are short acting beta agonists relievers or preventive?
Relievers
What are the main side effects of salbutamol?
Tremor and increased HR
List three oral therapies.
Leukotriene Receptor Antagonist
Theophylline
Prednisolone
What are some of the options that specialists in asthma may use?
Omalizumab (Anti- IgE)
Mepolizumab (Anti-Interleukin-5)
Bronchial thermoplasty
Name the steps that would be followed after a mild/moderate acute asthma attack.
Increase inhaler use
Oral Steroid
Treat trigger
Early follow up
Back up plan
Under what categories of asthma attack should the patient be in hospital?
Moderate, severe, life threatening, near fatal
What might be used to limit patient interaction if in hospital after an asthma attack?
Nebulisers
IV
What are the similarities between asthma and COPD?
Both have areas inflammation and some irritability of the smooth muscle, causing increased contraction and narrowing of the airways.
Similar therapies
Non pharmacological interventions are the same.
What are some of the differences between asthma and COPD?
COPD- unrealistic to keep them symptom free, usually have a smoking history, older,
Asthma- patients tend to be younger, able to minimise or treat symptoms.
