Asthma is the ___________ in childhood
most common chronic disease
Hospitalization rates highest in _____ and _______ population
children & black population
Death rates highest in ______ y/o blacks
15-24
What are the risk factors of asthma?
Atopic Triad:
- Eczema
- Asthma
- Atopic dermatitis
What are the 3 main factors of Asthma pathophys?
What causes airway hyper-responsiveness?
What causes inflammation in asthma?
What causes airflow obstruction & narrowing?
Classic symptoms of Asthma
Diagnosis of Asthma
What will you see on a PE for a non-exacerbation pt?
What is the GOLD STANDARD for dx asthma?
Spirometry/ Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT)
What is spirometry/PFT?
max inhalation followed by rapid and forceful, complete exhalation
“predicted values” are based on _____, _____ & ______
age, height, sex
What is FEV1?
Forced expiratory volume in 1 sec
FEV1 is _______ in obstructive dz
decreased
_____ is the normal value of FEV1
greater than or equal to 80% of predicted value
What is FVC?
forced vital capacity: amount of air forcefully exhaled after a maximal inhalation
FVC predicted value varies with ______ & ______
height & age
FVC normal value is…
greater than or equal to 80% of predicted
What does the FEV1/FVC ratio determine?
whether obstruction is present
What does an FEV1/FVC ratio <70% indicate?
obstructive disease
How does a normal pulmonary function graph differ from a severe airflow obstruction graph?
Normal pulmonary function is curved and severe airflow obstruction has a decreased slope

Predictive versus obstructive defect
Obstructive defect demonstrates scooping of the expiratory portion of the flow-volume curve compared with the predicted curve. The expiratory flow rate is reduced over most of the vital capacity.
