A- Knowledge for Practice > Asthma > Flashcards

Asthma Flashcards

(39 cards)

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1
Q

what is asthma?

A

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that affects the airways, causing them to become inflamed, narrowed, and produce extra mucus.

various stimuli cause broncho construction, inflammation, and increased mucus production

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2
Q

What are symptoms of asthma?

A
  • Dyspnoea
  • Use of accessory respiratory muscles
  • Diaphoresis
  • Inspiratory and expiratory wheezes
  • Anxiety or agitation
  • Tachycardia, tachypnoea, mild systolic hypertension, and pulsus paradoxus
    Wheezing and/or cough, which may be exercise-induced
  • Prolonged expiratory phase of respiration
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3
Q

What are symptoms of severe asthma/ deterioration/ resp failure

A

Cyanosis, confusion, and lethargy

indicating the onset of life-threatening acute severe asthma (status asthmaticus) and respiratory failure

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4
Q

What negative effects can occur from asthma?

A

Leads to hypoxemia, and subsequently hypoxia if not relieved. (Respiratory failure)

Air retention and hypercapnia also occur. (Respiratory acidosis)

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5
Q

Whats an indicator of hypoxia?

A
  • tachypnea
  • Confusion
  • Restlessness
  • Cough
  • Anxiety
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6
Q

What are some respiratory treatments?

A
  • HF oxygen
  • Beta-agonists drugs
  • Sympathomimetics
  • Anticholinergics
  • Corticosteroids
  • Adrenaline
  • CPAP
  • Severe cases may need intubation
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7
Q

What is the treatment in mild/moderate acute asthma exacerbation?

A
  1. Give salbutamol. Assess response within 4 minutes, and repeat dosing according to your facility guidelines.
  2. If poor response, consider adding ipratropium, prednisolone, and IV magnesium sulfate infusion over 20 minutes (consult your facility guidelines).

Ensure an ICS has been administered with a short-acting beta-agonist (SABA).

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8
Q

What is the treatment in severe acute asthma exacerbation?

A
  1. Give salbutamol and ipratropium using an MDI and spacer. Use neb if patient is unable to use a spacer.
  2. Start o2 therapy if SpO2 less than 92%.
  3. If poor response, add IV magnesium sulfate infusion over 20 minutes, and oral prednisolone or IV corticosteroid.
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9
Q

What is salbutamol?

A

Ventolin- Short acting sympathomimetic for acute exacerbations

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10
Q

What is Terburtiline?

A

Bricanyl- Short acting sympathomimetic for acute exacerbations

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11
Q

What is ipratropium?

A

Atrovent- Anticholinergic drug that stimulates bronchodilation in acute cases

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12
Q

What are asthma prevention strategies?

A
  • Know your triggers and minimize exposure
  • Take your asthma medicines as prescribed
  • Asthma education about spacer/ meds
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13
Q

What are complications of asthma?

A
  • Acute, severe asthma (formerly known as status asthmaticus)
  • Respiratory failure
  • Anxiety
  • Pneumonia
  • Atelectasis
  • Air-leak syndrome (such as pneumothorax)
  • Death
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14
Q

What are some asthma preventer medications?

A

Two kinds - Single ingredient preventer inhalers and combination 2-in-1 preventer inhalers

Single ingredient - Flixotide®, Pulmicort®, Beclazone® and Qvar

2-1 - Seretide®, Breo Ellipta® Symbicort®, DuoResp Spiromax® and Vannair®.

inhaled corticosteroids

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15
Q

What kind of nursing education should nurses give?

A
  • ways to minimise exposure to infections (hand washing etc)
  • avoiding known allergens and irritants
  • MDI and spacer use or other device use, as indicated, and that a reliever should be carried at all times
  • pursed-lip and diaphragmatic breathing
  • effective coughing techniques
  • maintaining adequate hydration
  • signs and symptoms of an acute, severe asthma attack and the need for immediate medical treatment
  • explaining and providing a written asthma management plan and asthma first-aid plan.
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16
Q

What is asthma?

Study These Flashcards
A

A chronic inflammatory disorder of the bronchial mucosa that causes bronchial hyperresponsiveness, constriction of the airways, and variable airflow obstruction that is reversible.

17
Q

How many genes have been identified that may play a role in asthma susceptibility?

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A

More than 100 genes.

18
Q

What increases the risk of asthma during childhood?

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A

Exposure to high levels of certain allergens.

19
Q

What initiates the immune response in asthma?

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A

Airway epithelial exposure to antigen.

20
Q

Name three types of cells that contribute to persistent inflammation in asthma.

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A
  • Dendritic cells
  • T helper 2 lymphocytes
  • Eosinophils
21
Q

What is the early asthmatic response?

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A

A phase of acute bronchoconstriction that reaches a maximum in the first 30 minutes and resolves within 1 to 3 hours.

22
Q

What do T helper 2 cells release during the early asthmatic response?

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A

Numerous inflammatory cytokines.

23
Q

What are some consequences of inflammatory mediators in asthma?

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A
  • Vasodilation
  • Increased capillary permeability
  • Mucosal oedema
  • Bronchial smooth muscle contraction
  • Tenacious mucus secretion
24
Q

When does the late asthmatic response begin?

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A

4 to 8 hours after the early response.

25
What causes bronchospasm and obstruction to airflow in the late asthmatic response?
Chemotactic recruitment of inflammatory cells and release of mediators.
26
What does untreated inflammation in asthma lead to?
Long-term airway damage known as airway remodeling.
27
What happens to airflow resistance in asthma?
Airway obstruction increases resistance to airflow and decreases flow rates.
28
What can impaired expiration lead to in asthma patients?
Air trapping and hyperinflation distal to obstructions.
29
What are common symptoms at the beginning of an asthma attack?
* Chest constriction * Expiratory wheezing * Dyspnoea * Non-productive coughing * Prolonged expiration * Tachycardia * Tachypnoea
30
What is pulsus paradoxus?
A decrease in systolic blood pressure during inspiration of more than 10mmHg.
31
What is essential for the management and prevention of asthma attacks?
Avoidance of allergens and irritants, control of symptoms, and prevention of exacerbations.
32
What type of inhalers are used for intermittent asthma?
Short-acting beta-agonist inhalers.
33
What medications are essential for all categories of persistent asthma?
Anti-inflammatory medications, usually in the form of inhaled corticosteroids.
34
What is the action of beta2 antagonists?
Bind to exosites near beta2 receptors on bronchial smooth muscle causing stimulation and bronchodilation.
35
Name two short-acting beta-agonists.
* Salbutamol * Terbutaline
36
What are some adverse effects of beta2 antagonists?
* Fine tremor * Headache * Muscle cramps * Palpitation * Tachycardia
37
What is the action of inhaled corticosteroids?
Immunosuppressant used to reduce airway inflammation and secretion of mucus.
38
What are common adverse effects of oral corticosteroids?
* Hypertension * Sodium and water retention * Increased risk of T2DM * Osteoporosis * Cushing's syndrome
39
What important note should be considered when administering corticosteroids?
Prolonged courses increase susceptibility to infections.
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