RESP (asthma, COPD, sarcoidosis) Flashcards
What is chronic asthma?
a chronic inflammatory airway disease characterised by intermittent airway obstruction and hyper-reactivity
What are the symptoms and signs of asthma?
- cough
- wheeze (heard on auscultation)
- shortness of breath
- worse in morning and evening
What are the investigations for asthma?
- Spirometry: (FEV1:FVC ratio)
- PEFR (peak expiratory flow rate)
- Bloods
What is the criteria for diagnosis of asthma?
- FEV1: FVC <70%
- Reversibility: 12% pre- and post-bronchodilator spirometry
- PEFR varies by, or increases by >20%, for >3 days/week over several weeks - diagnosis can be aided by a PEFR diary
What is the order of medication plan in chronic asthma?
- SABA
- SABA + ICS
- SABA + ICS + LTRA
- LABA + ICS ± LTRA
- LABA + increase ICS ±LRTA
- Trials
- Oral CS
What should you check on each trip to the GP with chronic asthma?
- Inhaler technique
- Inhaler adherence
- Symptoms (adjust medication as needed)
What is conservative management for chronic asthma?
- Weight loss
2. Smoking cessation
What is LABA?
Long Acting Beta-2 Agonist
What is SABA?
short acting Beta-2 agonist
What is ICS?
inhaled corticosteroid
What is LTRA?
oral Leukotriene receptor antagonist
What is LMRA?
Long acting muscarinic receptor antagonist
What is an example of SABA?
salbutamol
What is an example of ICS?
Beclometasone, Budesonide
What is an example of LTRA?
Montelukast
What is an example of LABA + ICS?
Symbicort (Budesonide/Formoterol)
What is an example of an oral CS?
prednisolone
What are the risk factors for acute asthma exacerbation?
- History of previous asthma attacks
- Poor control
- Inappropriate or excessive SABA use
- Old age
- Female
- High blood eosinophil count
What are the symptoms of an acute asthma exacerbation?
- Increase shortness of breath (can’t finish sentence)
- Cough
- Wheeze
What is the PEF for different types of acute asthma exacerbation?
Moderate: 50-70%
Acute-severe: 33-50%
Life threatening: <33%
Near fatal: pCO2 raised
What are the other signs of an acute asthma exacerbation?
- Tachypnoea
- Tachycardia
- Silent chest
- Accessory muscle use
- Sleep disturbance
What are the investigations for an acute asthma exacerbation?
- Basic Obvs (HR, SpO2)
- ABG: *repeat ABG if PaO2 <8kPa, unless SpO2 >92%; or initial PaCO2 is normal or raised; or if patient deteriorates or PEF <50%
- PEF
- Pulse Oximetry
- Chest X ray