Respiratory - Unit 3 - Lower Airway Disorders

Question 1

What is asthma?

Answer 1

Intermittent, reversible airflow obstruction caused by airway inflammation or airway hyperresponsiveness.

Question 2

What are some asthma irritants?

Answer 2

Cigarette smoke, air pollution, strong odors, etc.

Question 3

What are some asthma allergens?

Answer 3

Animal dander, dust mites, cockroaches, pollen, molds, foods.

Question 4

When may hyperresponsiveness occur with asthma?

Answer 4

exercise, upper respiratory illness, bronchoconstriction, etc.

Question 5

What are some clinical manifestations of asthma?

Answer 5

Audible wheezing, shallow/rapid respirations, dyspnea, increased cough that’s usually harsh, chest tightness, use of accessory muscles.

Question 6

How do we diagnose asthma?

Answer 6

ABG’s, chest x-ray to rule out other problems.

Question 7

Asthma - decrease in FEV or PEF of 15-20% below values for age. T/F?

After treatment with a bronchodilator, both should go back up by 12% - T/F?

Answer 7

True & True

Question 8

What are the 4 classifications for asthma?

Answer 8

Mild Intermittent (comes and goes)
Mild Persistent (Symptoms

Question 9

What are examples of bronchodilators for asthma?

Answer 9

Proventil, albuterol, salmeterol

Question 10

What are some corticosteroids for asthma?

Answer 10

Flovent/fluticasone

Question 11

What are some cholinergic antagonists for asthma?

Answer 11

Atrovent/ipratropium

Question 12

What are some mast cell stabilizers for asthma?

Answer 12

Cromolyn

Question 13

What is a leukotriene antagonist for asthma?

Answer 13

Montelukast

Question 14

What is a methylxanthine/theophylline for asthma?

Answer 14

Truphylline, Elixophyllin

Question 15

What are some delivery options for rescue, long acting, and emergency asthma meds?

Answer 15

Rescue - fast acting/inhaler.
Long acting = inhaler, PO, nasal
Emergency - IV, inhaler, IPPB

Question 16

When taking an inhaler….should we shake well for 5 seconds, exhale fully, push, hold breath for 10 seconds, and then wait 1-2 minutes between puffs?

Answer 16

Yes!

Question 17

What is one of the purposes of pursed lip breathing?

Answer 17

Promotes carbon dioxide elimination.

Question 18

What happens in pneumonia?

Answer 18

Pathogens penetrate airway and multiply in alveolar spaces –> inflammation, infection.

Question 19

What are some gram negative causative organisms for pneumonia?

Answer 19

Haemophilus influenzae, legionella pneumophila, klebsiella, enterobacter, pseudomonas aeruginosa

Question 20

What are some gram positive causative organisms for pneumonia?

Answer 20

Streptococcus pneumoniae, staphylococcus aureus

Question 21

What do the following pneumonia sputum colors mean? (what infection is there?)

Colorless -
Creamy yellow -
Green -
Currant jelly -

Answer 21

Colorless = non-infectious

Creamy yellow = staphylococcus

Green = pseudomonas

Currant jelly = Klebsiella

Question 22

What are some risk factors for pneumonia?

Answer 22

Elderly are at highest risk.

Chronic conditions, history of alcohol/smoking use, poor nutritional status, mechanical ventilation, aspiration, weakened immune system, obesity, etc.

Question 23

What is VAP?

Answer 23

Ventilator-Associated Penumonia - it’s an infection that develops at least 48 hours after patient is intubated. Leading cause of death related to hospital acquired infections!

Question 24

What are some assessment findings for pneumonia?

Answer 24

High fever, chills, clamminess, cough with sputum, SOB, pleuritic chest pain, fatigue, headache, low BP, N/V, high HR

Question 25

If it’s viral pneumonia, it’ll be horrible. T/F?

Answer 25

False - typically it doesn’t cause as many problems. Bacterial is what we have to worry about!