STUDY Flashcards
An 18-year-old female presents to your office with a history of wheezing and year-round symptoms of rhinitis.
Initiation of inhaled formoterol (Foradil) and an inhaled corticosteroid
Albuterol, 1–2 puffs as needed
A discussion about removing the cat from her bedroom
True statements regarding the use of long-acting β2-agonists in asthma include which of the following? (Mark all that are true.)
They are beneficial when used in conjunction with inhaled corticosteroids
A 14-year-old female presents to you with a recent history of cough and shortness of breath with exercise. Baseline pulmonary function testing reveals an FEV1 of 3.1 L and a PEF of 600 L/min. Exercise testing is scheduled.
Which of the following measurements after exercise would support a diagnosis of exercise-induced bronchospasm? (Mark all that are true.)
FEV1 2.5 L (80%)
FEV1 2.2 L (70%)
Asthma treatments associated with a dose-dependent reduction in bone mineral density include which of the following? (Mark all that are true.)
Oral corticosteroids
Inhaled corticosteroids
Which one of the following is the most common acid/base abnormality in the EARLY stages of an asthma exacerbation?
Respiratory alkalosis
The mother of a 12-year-old male calls your office and tells you that over the past few days he has had a low-grade fever, runny nose, and cough with yellowish phlegm. He has a history of mild persistent asthma (personal best peak flow 410 L/min) managed with a low-dose inhaled corticosteroid.
Continue the inhaled β2-agonist every 3–4 hours for the next 1–2 days
Mediators linked to the pathophysiology of asthma include which of the following? (Mark all that are true.)
Histamine
Leukotrienes
Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)
Interleukin-4 and interleukin-5
Tumor necrosis factor alpha
A 35-year-old male admitted to the intensive-care unit with a severe asthma exacerbation has failed to improve with aggressive bronchodilator therapy and systemic corticosteroid therapy. For the past 10 minutes he has appeared more fatigued, but less wheezing is heard and his pulsus paradoxus, which had been 30 mm Hg, is less than 10 mm Hg. His pO2 is 60 mm Hg on high-dose oxygen therapy and his pCO2 is 44 mm Hg.
Which one of the following interventions would be most appropriate?
Intubation and mechanical ventilation
True statements regarding written asthma action plans include which of the following? (Mark all that are true.)
They should be used in patients with moderate or severe persistent asthma
They should be used in patients with a history of severe exacerbations
They should be used in patients whose perception of airflow obstruction is poor
The lack of a written asthma action plan is a risk factor for death from asthma
Which one of the following is most effective for reducing the frequency of exacerbations in adults with asthma?
Inhaled corticosteroids
True statements regarding aspirin-induced asthma include which of the following? (Mark all that are true.)
It is often associated with perennial vasomotor rhinitis
It is associated with rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps
Salsalate is a safer alternative to aspirin
Leukotriene modifiers are particularly effective
A 22-year-old male with long-standing asthma develops a severe asthma exacerbation following an upper respiratory infection. He is seen in the emergency department with severe dyspnea and a fall in peak flow to 270 L/min (45% of personal best). His personal best peak flow is 600 L/min. He is hospitalized and aggressively treated with short-acting β2-agonists, plus oral prednisone, 40 mg/day. He responds to therapy and his peak flow rises to 340 L/min (57% of personal best).
According to National Asthma Education and Prevention Program guidelines, hospital discharge can be considered in this patient once the peak flow rate rises above a threshold of
420 L/min (70%)
A 25-year-old obese female with a history of moderate persistent asthma continues to have problems with frequent nighttime awakening and daytime wheezing despite treatment with a medium-dose inhaled corticosteroid and a leukotriene receptor antagonist.
Identification and treatment of which of the following chronic comorbid conditions can improve asthma management? (Mark all that are true.)
Allergic rhinitis
Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis Obstructive sleep apnea Gastroesophageal reflux disease
Which one of the following allergens is most likely responsible for the disproportionately high morbidity from asthma among inner-city residents?
Cockroach allergen
A 24-year-old male with mild persistent asthma treated with a low-dose inhaled corticosteroid sees you for a follow-up visit. He reports that his cough and wheezing have improved, but that he continues to require the use of an albuterol HFA (Proventil, Ventolin) inhaler 3–4 times a week. He notes that he did not require the use of albuterol even once during a recent 1-week vacation in Maui. Office spirometry is normal. His serum IgE level is 130 IU/mL (N 6–97).
Which of the following options would be most appropriate? (Mark all that are true.)
Assess the patient for exposure to inhalant allergens
Ask the patient about exposure to tobacco smoke and other irritants
Review medication adherence
A 22-year-old female with mild persistent asthma informs you that she and her husband have decided to have a baby. Which one of the following asthma agents would be preferred?
Inhaled corticosteroids
Which one of the following is LEAST likely to precipitate bronchospasm in a patient with exercise-induced asthma?
Swimming in a heated indoor pool
A 4-year-old female is diagnosed with mild persistent asthma. Which one of the following is preferred for long-term control?
Low-dose inhaled corticosteroids
Long-acting inhaled β-agonists are less likely to be effective in which one of the following ethnic groups?
African-Americans
The most common cause of recurrent wheezing in a child less than 5 years of age is
asthma
Inhaled corticosteroids have been shown to provide which of the following benefits in patients with asthma? (Mark all that are true.)
Reduced severity of symptoms
Improved pulmonary function
Reduced airway hyperresponsiveness
Fewer exacerbations
Nonpharmacologic measures that reduce the likelihood of exercise-induced bronchospasm include which of the following? (Mark all that are true.)
Warming up for at least 10 minutes before actual exercise begins
Covering the mouth and nose with a scarf or mask during cold weather
Gradually decreasing the intensity of the exercise before stopping
The 2007 National Asthma Education and Prevention Program guidelines recommend which of the following allergen avoidance measures for patients sensitive to house dust mite allergen? (Mark all that are true.)
Encasing pillows and mattresses in an allergen-impermeable cover
Washing sheets and blankets weekly in hot water (≥54°C, or 130°F)
Vacuuming carpets once or twice a week, using a vacuum cleaner fitted with a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter or double bag
The use of long-acting β-agonists (LABAs) has been associated with an increased risk for
severe asthma exacerbations