Asthma

Question 1

T/F

Asthma is an acute inflammatory disorder

Answer 1

False, it’s chronic

Question 2

Asthma is

A) episodic, reversible bronchospasm

B) Bronchial hyper-responsiveness to stimuli

C) Severity increases with time

D) All of the above

Answer 2

D) All of the above

Question 3

T/F

Perioperative bronchospasm is common even in patients without asthma

Answer 3

True

Question 4

T/F

Since 1994, incidence of asthma has decreased, and mortality has decreased

Answer 4

False

Incidence has increased, and mortality rates still increasing despite new therapies. 50% of asthma daths occur in pts over 65 yo

Question 5

T/F

Survival rate decreases as years since onset of asthma increases

Answer 5

True

Question 6

ASA closed claims data in a 14 year period, there were 40 claims for bronchospasm (2% of claims), 35 of which involved brain damage/death, and only 18 of which had history of asthma/COPD/smoking

Answer 6

yup

Question 7

Deadspace vs. airway resistance graph

Answer 7

Question 8

Asthma involved “airway remodeling” induced by bronchoconstriction. The structural changes is/are:

A) hyperplasia

B) metaplasia

C) Bronchial angiogenesis

D) All of the above

Answer 8

D) All of the above, and is the primary contributor to fatal asthma

Question 9

It’s important to ask which of the following questions preop?

A) Age of onset of asthma

B) Specific triggers (polutants, exercize, animal dander, excitability)

C) Medication regimen (Increase or change in usage)

D) Recent URI (adds to morbidity and mortality of asthma)

E) Smoking

F) GERD (silent aspirations at night -> asthma, asthma resolves when treat GERD)

G) Aspirin/NSAID sensitivity

H) All of the above

Answer 9

H) All of the above