Give some causes of wheeze in a child
Describe the presentation of ‘viral episodic wheeze’.
Describe the management of acute asthma
Treatment approaches to asthma include preventer and reliever inhalers. What class of drugs are the preventers, and give some examples.
Preventers = inhaled steroids
Treatment approaches to asthma include preventer and reliever inhalers. What class of drugs are the relievers, and give some examples.
B2 agonists eg.
Preventer and reliever inhalers are used to manage asthma. List 5 Add-on therapies which may be used in adjunct to the preventers + relievers.
On choosing a preventer inhaler for an asthmatic child, what considerations should you make?
What class of drugs are used as preventative medication in asthma?
STEROIDS!
On choosing a reliever inhaler for an asthmatic child, what considerations should you make?
What class of drugs are used as reliever medication in asthma?
Drug class: B2-agonists.
A child has mild, intermittent asthma. What’s the first line management? (Step 1)
- Inhaled short acting B2 agonist as required eg. Salbutamol
What is meant by ‘regular preventer therapy’ with regards to asthma control in a child? (Step 2)
Inhaled steroid eg. Beclametasone
200 - 400mcg / day
If regular preventer therapy fails to control a child’s asthma, what therapeutic option is recommended? (Step 3)
Add-on therapy:
If a child has persistent poor control due to asthma, what therapeutic management can you recommend? (Step 4)
Increase inhaled steroid up to 800 mcg / day
eg. Beclametasone
If a child’s asthma is so poorly controlled that they are continuously / frequently using oral steroids, what action should you take?
An asthmatic child does not respond to treatment. Give 5 reasons why this might occur.
What are the possible side effects of inhaled steroids (when used in the management of asthma)?
Give some examples of upper respiratory tract infections in children.
Give some examples of lower respiratory tract infections in children.
Acute stridor is seen in Croup. What is the causative organism of croup?
Viral -> Usually Parainfluenza
Describe the signs + symptoms seen in a child with croup.
Croup is usually caused by parainfluenza. Describe the course of the disease in children.
- Spring / Autumn
A child in A+E is diagnosed with Croup. What medication should you give them?
Steroids!
What is the causative organism of acute epiglottis?
=> causes a severe, acute illness
List 2 diseases that might be caused by meningococcus.
- Meningitis
List 3 diseases caused by Haemophilus influenza B.