Term
| What happens during an acute asthma attack? |
|
Definition
| The smooth muscles surrounding the small airways constrict |
|
|
Term
| The smooth muscle may increase to ______ times their size. |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
If chronic inflammation develops over time, the anatomic alterations become _______________. |
|
Definition
| Irreversible, resulting in loss of airway caliber |
|
|
Term
What are the major pathologic or structural changes observed during an asthmatic episode? |
|
Definition
| Smooth muscle constriction of the bronchial airways (bronchospasm), bronchial wall inflammation, excessive production of thick, whitish bronchial secretions, mucus plugging, hyperinflation of alveoli (air trapping), In severe cases, atelectasis caused by mucus plugging |
|
|
Term
Asthma is found in what percentage of adults? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
What percentage of individuals develops asthma before the age of ten? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
What are the two major types of asthma? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
According to GINA, what are the 2 categories of risk factors for asthma? |
|
Definition
| (1)the risk factors with which one is born that cause the development of asthma (e.g.,genetic factors or sex), and (2)the risk factors that trigger asthma symptoms (e.g., domestic mites, furred animals, cockroach allergen, fungi, molds, infections, tobacco smoke) |
|
|
Term
What is extrinsic asthma? |
|
Definition
| When an asthmatic episode can be clearly linked to exposure to a specific allergen (antigen), the pt is said to have extrinsic asthma |
|
|
Term
An excessive amount of what antibody is present in individuals with extrinsic asthma? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
Is there a genetic link to extrinsic asthma? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
Which type of asthma often disappears after puberty? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
The early asthmatic response begins within minutes of exposure to an inhaled antigen and resolves in approximately 1 hour. What is the late asthmatic response? |
|
Definition
| Begins several hours after exposure to an inhaled antigen but lasts much longer. The late asthmatic response may or may not follow an early asthmatic response. |
|
|
Term
What is an early asthmatic response followed by a late asthmatic response called? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
What is occupational asthma? . |
|
Definition
| Asthma caused by exposure to an agent encountered in the work environment |
|
|
Term
Occupational asthma is seen primarily in what patient population? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
What is intrinsic asthma? |
|
Definition
| When an asthmatic episode cannot be directly linked to a specific antigen or extrinsic inciting factor, it is referred to as intrinsic asthma |
|
|
Term
Are their IgE levels elevated? (Intrinsic asthma pts) |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
Is there a genetic link to intrinsic asthma? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
At what age does intrinsic asthma usually develop? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What are other bold printed risk factors for intrinsic asthma? |
|
Definition
Obesity; Sex (male sex is a risk factor for asthma in children, up to age 14 the prevalence of asthma is nearly twice as great in boys than girls. By adulthood, the prevalence is greater in women than in men); Infections; Exercise-induced asthma; Outdoor & indoor air pollution; Drugs, food additives, and food preservatives; Gastroesophageal reflux; Sleep (nocturnal asthma); Emotional stress; Perimenstrual asthma (catamenial asthma) |
|
|
Term
As much as _______% of the asthmatic population may be sensitive to aspirin and other NSAIDs. |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
Can GERD lead to asthma symptoms? What does GERD stand for? |
|
Definition
| Yes; Gastroesophageal reflux |
|
|
Term
Patients with asthma often have more difficulty during what times of the day? |
|
Definition
| Late night or early morning |
|
|
Term
| Can there be a psychological component? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
Manifestations of asthma may worsen in females ___ before menstruation begins. |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
How is asthma diagnosed in children? Adults? |
|
Definition
| Based primarily on the assessment of the child’s symptoms and physical findings-and good clinical judgement. A complete hx and physical examination-along w/demonstration of reversible and variable airflow obstruction |
|
|
Term
Why is occupational asthma often missed in diagnosis? |
|
Definition
| B/c it usually has a slow and insidious onset |
|
|
Term
List the GINA guidelines to help in the clinical diagnosis of asthma? |
|
Definition
| There are many signs and symptoms that should increase the suspicion of asthma. This includes wheezing and a hx of any of the following: cough, recurrent wheeze, recurrent difficult breathing, recurrent chest tightness |
|
|
Term
The 4 common tests used for diagnosis and monitoring of asthma include: |
|
Definition
| spirometry, PEF, measurements of airway responsiveness and the presence of allergies. |
|
|
Term
What are the 4 categories of symptoms described by GINA? |
|
Definition
-Intermittent-occur less than once a wk and possible brief exacerbations. Also may include nocturnal symptoms not more than twice a mo
-Mild persistent-symptoms occur more than once a week, but less than once a day and exacerbations may affect activity and sleep. Nocturnal symptoms also occur twice a mo
-Moderate persistent-symptoms occur daily and exacerbations effect activity and sleep. Nocturnal symptoms occur more than once a week and individual uses an inhaled short acting beta2 agonist
-Severe persistent-symptoms occur daily along with frequent nocturnal symptoms, there are also limitations on physical activity |
|
|
Term
Recognize chest assessment findings. |
|
Definition
| Expiratory prolongation, decreased tactile and vocal fremitus, hyperresonant percussion note, diminished breath sounds, diminished heart sounds, wheezing and rhonchi |
|
|
Term
What are the 5 major components of asthma care described by GINA? |
|
Definition
Component 1: Develop Patient/Doctor Partnership
Component 2: Identify and reduce exposure to risk factors
Component 3: Assess, treat, and monitor asthma
Component 4: Manage asthma exacerbations
Component 5: Special considerations in managing asthma |
|
|
Term
Define asthma exacerbation. |
|
Definition
| Also called an asthma attack, or asthma episode. A progressive increase in shortness of breath, cough, wheezing, or chest tightness or a combination of these symptoms. |
|
|
Term
Can asthma exacerbations be life threatening? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
What are special considerations to take into account when managing asthma? |
|
Definition
| Pregnancy, surgery, rhinitis, sinusitism, and nasal polyps, occupational asthma, respiratory infection, gastroesophageal reflux, aspirin-induced asthma, anaphalaxis |
|
|
Term
What respiratory care treatment protocols are used with Asthma? |
|
Definition
| O2 therapy, bronchopulmonary hygiene therapy, aerosolized medication, mechanical ventilation |
|
|
Term
Define status asthmaticus. |
|
Definition
| A severe asthmatic episode that does not respond to conventional pharmacologic therapy. |
|
|
