Q: What is asthma?
A: A chronic airway inflammation disease with variable symptoms (wheezing, cough, SOB, chest tightness) and reversible airflow limitation.
Q: What are the main pathophysiologic changes in asthma?
A: Bronchospasm, airway inflammation, mucus overproduction, and airway hyperresponsiveness.
Q: Most common chronic disease in which group?
Children
Q: What are the 5 asthma phenotypes?
A:
Allergic/Atopic
Non-allergic
Late-onset
Asthma with fixed airflow limitation
Asthma with obesity
Q: Which phenotype responds best to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS)?
A: Atopic (allergic) asthma.
Q: Which phenotype is often resistant to ICS?
A: Late-onset asthma (adult females).
Q: Major host risk factors for asthma?
A: Genetics, obesity, and sex.
Q: Major environmental risk factors?
A: Allergens, air pollution, infections, occupational exposure, tobacco smoke, diet.
Q: Common triggers?
A: Viral infections, cold air, smoke, exercise, GERD, emotional stress, certain drugs (aspirin, β-blockers).
Q: Key diagnostic signs of asthma?
A: Recurrent wheeze, cough, dyspnea, or chest tightness that vary over time and worsen at night or with triggers.
Q: What FEV₁ response confirms asthma?
A: ≥12% (or ≥200 mL) improvement after bronchodilator.
Q: What PEFR change suggests asthma?
A: >10% daily variability (>13% in children).
Q: Other diagnostic tests?
A: Bronchial provocation, allergy testing, exhaled nitric oxide.
Q: How are FVC, FEV₁, and FEV₁/FVC affected?
A: All decreased (obstructive pattern).
Q: Which lung volumes increase?
A: RV, FRC, TLC, and RV/TLC ratio (due to air-trapping).
Q: What are common sputum findings?
A: Eosinophilia, Charcot-Leyden crystals, and mucus casts (Kirschman spirals).
Q: ABG pattern in mild–moderate asthma?
A: Respiratory alkalosis (↓PaCO₂, ↑pH).
Q: ABG pattern in severe asthma?
A: Respiratory acidosis (↑PaCO₂, ↓pH).
Q: Classic signs of asthma?
A: Wheezing, tachypnea, use of accessory muscles, pulsus paradoxus (>10 mm Hg drop in SBP on inspiration).
Q: Common chest X-ray findings?
A: Hyperinflated lungs, flattened diaphragm, increased AP diameter.
Q: What are the long-term goals of asthma management?
A: Symptom control and prevention of future exacerbations.
Q: What are the 5 treatment steps (GINA/NAEPP)?
A:
1️⃣ As-needed reliever
2️⃣ Low-dose controller + reliever
3️⃣ 1–2 controllers + reliever
4️⃣ Higher dose controllers + reliever
5️⃣ Add-on therapy/expert care
Q: What are Track 1 and Track 2 reliever options?
A: Track 1: low-dose ICS-formoterol; Track 2: SABA.
Q: Key components of asthma self-management?
A: Inhaler technique, med adherence, symptom monitoring, written action plan.
