Asthma Management Adults and Children/ LRTI Children

Question 1

what are the classes of medications for asthma?

Answer 1

short acting beta agonists
inhaled corticosteroids
long acting beta agonists
leukotriene receptor antagonists
theophylline
oral steroids

Question 2

what are SABAs?

Answer 2

short acting beta agonists, they are inhaled

Question 3

what are LABAs?

Answer 3

long acting beta agonists

Question 4

when are LABAs used?

Answer 4

they are used on a regular schedule to open narrowed airways and prevent asthma attacks

Question 5

what are the disadvantages and problems associated with LABAs?

Answer 5

they can actually increase the risk of having a life threatening asthma attach, the food and drug administration warns that they should never be used without an inhaled corticosteroid

Question 6

What is an LTRA?

Answer 6

a leyukotrine receptor antagonist, long term response action, drug treatment for asthma, available in tablet form

Question 7

what are inhaled corticosteroids?

Answer 7

they are inhaled medication used to treat asthma, this medication should be taken consistently so that is decreases inflammation in the airways of your lungs and prevent asthma flare-ups

Question 8

what are the adverse effects of inhaled corticosteroids?

Answer 8

oral candidiasis
thrush
dysphonia

Question 9

when are long acting beta agonists taken?

Answer 9

they are taken on a daily basis to relax the muscle lining the airways that carry air to the lungs, long acting beta agonists should only be taken in combination with a corticosteroid to treat asthma

Question 10

what is a nebuliser?

Answer 10

it is a device for producing a fine spray of liquid, used for example inhaling a medicinal drug

Question 11

what is acute asthma?

Answer 11

acute episode of progressive worsening of symptoms of asthma, including shortness of breath, wheezing, cough and chest tightness

Question 12

what are the symptoms of asthma?

Answer 12

shortness of breath
wheeze
cough
chest tightness
diurnal variability
episodic
atopy

Question 13

what are the signs of asthma?

Answer 13

wheeze on auscultation
eczema
obstructed spirometry
PEF changes
positive response to asthma treatment

Question 14

what is the aim of asthma treatment?

Answer 14

to control the disease

Question 15

what is complete control of asthma defined as?

Answer 15

no daytime symptoms
no night time awakening due to asthma
no need for rescue medication
no asthma attacks
no limitation on activity including exercise and normal lung function
minimal side effects from medication

Question 16

what does the non pharmacological management of asthma entail?

Answer 16

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

Question 17

what is the pharmacological management of asthma?

Answer 17

inhaled therapy
oral therapy
specialist treatments

Question 18

what is the benefit of inhalers in the treatment of asthma?

Answer 18

the drug is delivered directly to the target organ (airways and lung), the onset of effect is faster, there is minimal systemic exposure, the systemic adverse effects are less ever and less frequent

Question 19

state 2 short acting beta agonist relievers

Answer 19

salbutamol and terbutaline

Question 20

state 5 inhaled corticosteroid asthma preventing medications

Answer 20

beclomethasone
budesonide
fluticasone
ciclesonide
mometasone

Question 21

state 3 specialist options of asthma management

Answer 21

omalizumab
mepolizumab
bronchial thermoplasty

Question 22

describe the management of a mild/moderate acute asthma attack

Answer 22

increase inhaler use
oral steroid
treat trigger
early follow up
back up plan

Question 23

describe the management of a moderate to severe acute asthma attack

Answer 23

take patient to hospital
use of nebulisers - salbutamol for example
oral or intravenous steroid use
triggers are likely to be of an infection or allergen
if any complication prior get an chest x-ray done