managements of asthma in adults

Question 1

non pharmacological management

Answer 1

patient education and self management plans, exercise, smoking cessation, weight management, flu/ pneumococcal vaccinations

Question 2

MDIs are

Answer 2

metered dose inhalers u use and take a deep breath at same time. usually with spacer

Question 3

dry powder inhalers (DPIs)

Answer 3

good as you don’t need a big breath. need good respiratory flow though

Question 4

types of short acting beta agonists

Answer 4

salbutamol (MDI or DPI), terbutaline (DPI)

Question 5

types of oral therapy

Answer 5

leukotriene receptor antagonist, theophylline, prednisolone

Question 6

specialist options

Answer 6

omalizumab and mepolizumab which act on the asthma response, bronchial thermoplasty

Question 7

how to treat an acute asthma attack (mild or moderate)

Answer 7

increase inhaler use, oral steroid, treat trigger, early follow up (first 24 hours), back up plan

Question 8

how to treat an acute asthma attack (severe)

Answer 8

nebulisers, IV steroid, magnesium, aminophylline, find triggers, find complications that could happen eg haemothorax, review, level 2/3 care

Question 9

contrast with COPD

Answer 9

age of onset- usually younger with asthma, smoking history- asthma not necessarily smoker, response to treatment- asthma good, treatment goals- asthma reversible