Asthma Management and Treatment Quiz

Respiratory Disorders

• Acute Otitis Media (AOM): Inflammation of the middle ear, common in children aged 6 months to 3 years. Incidence higher during winter months.
• AOM Causes: Bacterial (Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Streptococcus pneumoniae) and viral (RSV, rhinoviruses, influenza, adenoviruses).
• AOM Symptoms: Ear pain (pulling, difficulty eating/lying down), fever, irritability, loss of appetite, ear canal drainage, nasal congestion/cough, vomiting/diarrhea.
• AOM Treatment: Analgesics (pain relief) for children aged 6-23 months with non-severe unilateral otitis media. Antibiotics are often given if symptoms don't improve after 48-72 hours. Myringotomy (incision) may be needed to promote drainage and reduce pressure. Tympanoplasty ventilating tubes can also be used.
• Asthma: A long-lasting inflammatory condition of the airways leading to periodic blockages, exaggerated airway response to triggers. Caused by bronchial spasms, excess mucus, and airway lining swelling.
• Asthma Attacks: Lungs become inflamed causing mucus buildup, swelling, tightening of airway muscles, leading to a cycle of anxiety and physical reactions.
• Asthma Triggers: Exercise, viral/bacterial agents, allergens (mold, dust, pollen), pollutants, changes in weather, food additives, and animal dander.
• Asthma Types: Extrinsic (atopic) – often allergic to external triggers (pollen, pet dander, dust mites, mold etc.). Intrinsic (nonatopic) – internal factors (irritants, emotional stressors, fatigue, infections). Exercise-induced asthma – airways constrict after physical activity.
• Asthma Severity Levels: Intermittent, mild, moderate, severe (based on frequency of symptoms/exacerbations, activity level, lung function results). Symptoms, nighttime issues, need for medication frequency details included in each level.
• Status Asthmaticus: Severe, persistent respiratory distress, bronchospasm even after medical treatment, may require mechanical ventilation. Untreated can lead to death.
• Asthma Treatment: Preventing flare-ups using medications, managing environmental triggers, and providing education/support to both the child and parents. Goal is to optimize respiratory function.
• Anti-inflammatory Medications (Asthma): Inhaled corticosteroids (e.g., fluticasone, budesonide) reduce airway swelling, but can have side effects (glucose issues, appetite, fluid retention, weight gain, mood changes, growth/blood pressure).
• Bronchodilators (Asthma): Relax smooth muscles in the airways providing quick relief for moderate/severe symptoms. Short-acting beta-agonists (SABAs) provide fast relief, often used for exercise-induced bronchospasm. Common examples include albuterol, metaproterenol, levalbuterol, pirbuterol. Used for immediate relief, daily management, nighttime symptoms, and exercise-induced bronchospasm.
• Leukotriene Modifiers (Asthma): Used alongside steroids to prevent bronchospasm, improve lung function. Possible side effects include diarrhea, inflammation, throat issues, nausea, ear/sinus infections, headaches.
• CROUP (Acute Laryngotracheobronchitis): Group of infectious diseases with laryngeal obstruction as the common feature.
• CROUP Diseases: Acute laryngitis, epiglottitis, acute laryngotracheitis, laryngitis, tracheobronchitis.
• CROUP Symptoms: Rhinitis, sore throat, fever, stridor, barking cough, hoarseness, dyspnoea. Details available on presentation descriptions.
• CROUP Treatment: Treatment varies by severity level ranging from oral/IV antibiotics to nebulisation to ensure rapid treatment/improvement. Detailed on presentation descriptions.
• Acute Bronchitis: Infectious disease affecting large/medium bronchi, characterized by a cough lasting up to 3 weeks.
• Acute Bronchitis Classification: Acute, chronic bacterial bronchitis, chronic bronchitis.
• Acute Bronchitis Reasons: Primarily viral (RSV, rhinoviruses, parainfluenza, influenza, adenoviruses, coronaviruses, bocaviruses), but bacterial (Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydophilia pneumoniae) are also possible.
• Acute Bronchitis Symptoms: Runny nose (3-4 days), cough (initially dry, then productive), high fever, deep/rapid breathing.
• Acute Bronchitis Treatment: Hydration, proper temperature and air humidity, antipyretics, mucolytic drugs.
• Cystic Fibrosis (CF): Genetic condition affecting a protein causing mucus to become thick/sticky. Blockages, damage, and infections in affected organs like the respiratory/digestive tract, and other areas possible.
• CF Classification: Cystic fibrosis with systemic symptoms (respiratory, digestive tract, other organs), and undefined.
• CF Symptoms: Bronchitis, pneumonia, pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, infertility in men.
• CF Treatment: Non-pharmacological (physiotherapy to clear secretions, nutritional treatment to maintain proper weight), and drug treatment addressing associated symptoms.
• Epiglottitis: Severe inflammation of the epiglottis, often in children aged 2-5 years. Characterised by airway blockage.
• Epiglottitis Cause: Infection with Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), but other bacteria (Streptococcus pneumoniae, Group A, B, C streptococci) also possible.
• Epiglottitis Symptoms: Sore throat, pain/difficulty swallowing (dysphagia). "Frog in the throat" sensation, muffled voice, inspiratory stridor, snoring sound during exhalation, drooling, toxic appearance, high fever, irritability, restlessness, retractions of the chest, rapid heart rate, weak pulse (tripod position)
• Epiglottitis Treatment: Prevention using the Hib conjugate vaccine (from 2 months of age). Intravenous (IV) and oral antibiotics (7-10 days). Corticosteroids in certain cases to reduce swelling during early stages. Continuous monitoring after initial treatment.
• Pneumonia: Acute infection/inflammation of the lung tissue (bronchioles, alveolar ducts, sacs, alveoli) disturbing normal gas exchange.
• Pneumonia Cause: Viral (RSV, influenza, parainfluenza, rhinovirus, adenovirus), bacterial (pneumococci, streptococci, staphylococci), mycoplasma, and inhaling foreign substances.
• Pneumonia Symptoms: Infants/Infants may show symptoms such as vomiting, seizures, poor feeding, irritability, fever, stiff neck, bulging fontanel, cyanosis around the mouth, respiratory distress, diminished breath sounds, crackles, and pleural friction rub. Older children may show symptoms such as headache, chest/abdominal pain, high fever, periods of drowsiness/restlessness, tachycardia, tachypnea, dry cough, expiratory grunting, cyanosis, reduced breath sounds, crackles(lung consolidation), moist crackles/blood-tinged mucus.
• Pneumonia Types: Lobar (large segment of one/more lung lobes), Broncho (terminal bronchioles/nearby lobules), Interstitial (alveolar/peribronchial tissues), Aspiration (fluid or food substance inhalation).
• Pneumonia Treatment: Managing symptoms (pain, fever). Supportive care (airway, hydration). Specific antibiotic treatment targeting the organism. Anti-inflammatory medications for some patients. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV-13) for prevention.

References (Sources)

• Meadows-Oliver, M. (2015). Pediatric Nursing Made Incredibly Easy. Wolters Kluwer.
• Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cystic-fibrosis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353706
• RCH - https://www.rch.org.au/clinicalguide/guideline_index/croup_laryngotracheobronchitis/
• NCBI - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448067/

Test your knowledge on asthma management with this quiz. It covers symptoms, triggers, treatments, and the physiological changes associated with asthma attacks. Perfect for medical students and healthcare professionals.