PT5: Asthma

Question 1

what is asthma

Answer 1

reversible chronic inflammatory disease characterised by recurring breathlessness and wheezing

Question 2

what symptoms indicate a high probability of asthma

Answer 2

cough, wheeze, worsens at night, exercise induced, family history, widespread wheeze, evidence of airway narrowing

Question 3

what symptoms indicate a low probability of asthma

Answer 3

cough but no wheeze or SOB, dizzy and lightheaded, no airway narrowing, voice disturbance, chronic productive cough, smoking history, cardiac disease

Question 4

what lung function tests do NICE and BTS/SIGN recommend for asthma

Answer 4

FeNO, peak flow, spirometry

Question 5

what is the aim of asthma management

Answer 5

control of the disease;
no daytime symptoms, no night time awakening, no need for rescue medication, no asthma attacks, no limitations in activity including exercise, normal lung function, minimal side effects

Question 6

what does MART stand for

Answer 6

maintenance and reliever therapy

Question 7

what is MART

Answer 7

combined ICS and LABA treatment

Question 8

how to step down

Answer 8

optomise inhaled corticosteroid dosing and reduce from higher dose, lower inhaled corticosteroid long-acting bronchodilator while adding ICS-LABA on demand, add LTRA while lowering steroid dose and use allergen immunotherapy

Question 9

what should a patient personalised plan include

Answer 9

promotes self care
how to recognise signs of worsening asthma, what to do in response to this, how to monitor response to treatment, contact details for asthma nurses

Question 10

SLIDE

Answer 10

33