part 6

Question 1

• bronchial hyperreactivity with reversible expiratory airflow limitation
• early morning or night
• ends spontaneously or with tx
• can be unpredictable
• variable S&S
• genetic or environmental triggers

Answer 1

asthma

Question 2

What are some asthma triggers?

Answer 2

air pollutants 
allergen inhalation 
drugs 
food additives 
occupational exposures 
viral or bacterial infections 
asthma triad: nasal polyps, asthma, and sensitivity to aspirin and NSAIDs

Question 3

What are the clinical manifestations of asthma?

Answer 3

• wheezing: inspiration/ expiration or both
• cough: may be the only symptom
• dyspnea
• chest tightness
• decreased or absent breath sounds (silent chest) omnious sign - impending respiratory failure

Question 4

All severities of asthma need what type of inhaler?

Answer 4

short-acting bronchodilators

Question 5

What are some complications of asthma?

Answer 5

pneumonia
tension pneumothorax
acute respiratory failure
status asthmaticus: life threatening and unresponsive to treatment

Question 6

unresponsive to asthma treatments

suddenly unable to speak

Answer 6

status asthmaticus

Question 7

What are the diagnostic tests for asthma?

Answer 7

• health hx
• PERF (peak expiratory flow rate): spirometry, FEV1 - forced vital capacity at 1 minute
• chest x ray
• serum eosinophil counts (increased)
• IgE levels (increased)
• V/S and puls ox
• ABG’s