Respiratory Health Flashcards
Features of acute severe asthma?
RR>25
HR>110
PEFR 33-50% of best or predicted
inability to complete sentences in 1 breath
Objective tests for asthma used in making a diagnosis?
Peak flow variability Spirometry FeNO (fractional exhaled nitric oxide) (results of 40 ppb or more is a positive test)-note levels can be lowered by patient's current smoking status
Use of skin prick tests in diagnosing asthma?
NOT used in diagnosis
however once diagnosis made, can be used to identify triggers.
Management of suspected occupational asthma in primary care?
refer to an occupational asthma specialist
When should a FeNO test be considered in children with suspected asthma?
in those aged 5 to 16, FeNO should be offered if there is diagnostic uncertainty after initial assessment AND either normal spirometry or obstructive spirometry with negative bronchodilator reversibility test.
(FeNO 35 or greater in children is positive)
What is the criteria for an obstructive spirometry result?
FEV1/FVC ratio of <70%
What is a positive bronchodilator reversibility test in the assessment of asthma in adults?
an improvement in FEV1 of 12% or more, together with an increase in volume of 200ml or more
When should peak flow variability be monitored in adults to help diagnose asthma?
in those where diagnostic uncertainty after clinical assessment and FeNO and either normal spirometry or obstructive spirometry, reversible airways obstruction but FeNO 39 or less. Consider offering if irreversible obstruction and FeNO 25-39.
What is a positive peak flow variability test in asthma diagnosis?
more than 20% variability
What is a positive result in direct bronchial challenge test for adults in testing for asthma?
20% fall in FEV1 of 8mg/ml or less
When should patients be reviewed if starting or having medication adjusted for asthma?
in 4-8 weeks
Next management step in adults with uncontrolled asthma on SABA+low dose ICS (equal to or less than 400 micrograms of budesonide or equivalent?
Add LTRA in addition (montelukast 10mg ON), if sx remain uncontrolled add LABA and consider whether or not to continue LTRA.
If on low dose ICS and LABA +/- LTRA and sx not controlled offer switch to MART-reliever and preventor 1 inhaler (LABA and low dose ICS).
Next management step in adults on MART (low dose ICS+LABA-fast acting, maintenance and reliever) with uncontrolled sx?
consider increasing ICS to a moderate maintenance dose (400-800 mcg budesonide or equivalent)
if still not controlled consider increasing ICS to high dose (only as fixed dose regimen with SABA as reliever) OR trial additional drug e.g. montelukast or theophylline OR seek advice from asthma healthcare professional
How to manage children under 5 suspected of having asthma and requiring maintenance therapy?
SABA plus 8/52 trial of moderate paediatric dose ICS, stop at 8/52 and review-if sx resolved then reoccurred within 4/52 of stopping ICS then restart ICS at low dose maintenance therapy.
if sx resolved and reoccurred beyond 4/52 of stopping ICS then rpt 8/52 trial.
Management of child under 5 with suspected asthma and uncontrolled sx on low dose ICS (less than or equal to 200mcg budesonide) and LTRA?
stop LTRA and refer child to expert
Advice in self management programme for adults with asthma using an ICS as a single inhlaer and asthma control deteriorated?
increase ICS for 7 days-consider quadrupling the regular ICS dose
When should a patient’s asthma maintenance therapy be considered to be decreased?
when their asthma has been controlled with their current maintenance therapy for at least 3 months.
Objective test to monitor asthma control?
spirometry and peak flow (NOT FeNO)
Organisms most commonly implicated in recurrent pulmonary infection in CF patients?
Children and early teenagers-staph aureus
(2nd most common is H.influenza)
Late teenagers and adults-P.aeruginosa
PO pred dose for asthma exacerbation in children?
<2 years, 10mg pred
2-5 years, 20mg pred
>5 years, 30-40mg pred
When to admit a patient with an asthma attack?
- Any life threatening features
- If severe asthma attack with any persistent severe sx post bronchodilator therapy
- If moderate asthma attack with worsening sx post bronchodilator therapy and/or previous near fatal asthma attack
Features that should prompt consideration of admission in a moderate exacerbation of asthma?
age under 18 years poor treatment adherence living alone/social isolation psych problems e.g. alcohol/drug misuse, depression physical or learning disability previous severe asthma attack pregnancy recent hosp admission recent nocturnal sx px in afternoon/evening exacerbation despite adequate dose of PO steroids prior to presentation