40 Questions
What is the name for the resultant swelling caused by increased fluid due to increased vascular permeability?
Oedema
Which type of mediators are immediately released through degranulation when the cell membrane is broken?
Pre-formed mediators
What is the phase that lasts for about 24 hours and involves cellular infiltration attracted by chemotaxis?
Late phase
Which cells are specifically associated with the inflammatory process and have the ability to attract even more white blood cells to the affected area?
Cells associated with chemotaxis
What is the name for the chronic inflammatory phase caused by repeated exposure to trigger factors, characterized by recruitment of eosinophils and excess mucus production?
Chronic phase
What is inflammation?
A natural defense mechanism of body tissue to injury or irritation
What can chronic inflammation lead to if not treated appropriately?
Irreversible tissue damage
What are the characteristic signs of inflammation?
Heat, redness, swelling, pain/tenderness
What happens to small blood vessels during inflammation?
They dilate to allow a greater blood supply to the affected area
What term describes the abnormal response to harmless stimuli in some individuals?
Sensitization
What are the classic symptoms of asthma?
Cough, Wheeze, Chest tightness, Breathlessness
What contributes to the symptoms of asthma?
Smooth muscle dysfunction and airway inflammation
What does smooth muscle dysfunction in asthma lead to?
Bronchoconstriction, Bronchial hyperreactivity, Inflammatory mediator release
How should the diagnosis of asthma be based?
Symptoms, Past medical history, Family history, Physical examination, Investigations
What can untreated smooth muscle dysfunction in asthma lead to?
Basement membrane thickening and airway remodeling
What are key symptoms of asthma?
Cough, wheeze, breathlessness, and tightness across the chest
What are common triggers of asthma?
Viral or bacterial infections, allergens, physical activity, stress, and certain drugs
What role does family history play in asthma?
Children of mothers who smoked while pregnant are more likely to develop asthma
What lung function test measures the maximum rate of air forcibly exhaled?
Peak expiratory flow (PEF)
What indicates airway obstruction potentially due to asthma?
A measured PEF less than 80% of predicted
Which factor can affect the metabolism of theophylline?
Age
What are the two anticholinergic drugs in current use as bronchodilators?
Ipratropium bromide and oxitropium bromide
What is the aim of asthma management?
To achieve maximum control of symptoms using the minimum amount of drug therapy
What is the recommended frequency for reviewing patients with chronic asthma?
Every 3 to 6 months
What is the classification of asthma control according to the text?
Few asthma symptoms, no sleep disturbance, no exercise limitation
What is an important part of asthma management that is sometimes overlooked?
Regular review of patients and stepping down of therapy
What should be in place for a patient who has had an asthma attack and is being discharged from the hospital?
Asthma self-management plan and correct inhaler technique
What is the abbreviation for the Anti-inflammatory reliever (AIR) mentioned in the text?
MART
What is the abbreviation for the Asthma Control Test mentioned in the text?
ACT
What is the abbreviation for the Asthma Control Questionnaire mentioned in the text?
ACQ
Which factor can affect the metabolism of theophylline?
Age, sex, body weight, and smoking
What are the two anticholinergic drugs in current use as bronchodilators?
Ipratropium bromide (Atrovent) and oxitropium bromide (Oxivent)
What is the abbreviation for the Asthma Control Test mentioned in the text?
ACT
What is the classification of asthma control according to the text?
Controlled, partially controlled, uncontrolled
What is the aim of asthma management?
To achieve maximum symptom control with minimal drug therapy
What is an important part of asthma management that is sometimes overlooked?
Regular review of patients and stepping down of therapy
What should be in place for a patient who has had an asthma attack and is being discharged from the hospital?
Discharge medications for 24 hours, correct inhaler technique, and an asthma self-management plan
What is the recommended frequency for reviewing patients with chronic asthma?
Every 3 to 6 months
What are common triggers of asthma?
Allergens, air pollution, and respiratory infections
What term describes the abnormal response to harmless stimuli in some individuals?
Hyperresponsiveness
Study Notes
Understanding Asthma: Symptoms, Triggers, Diagnosis, and Family History
- Key symptoms of asthma are cough, wheeze, breathlessness, and tightness across the chest
- Children with asthma may present with a history of cough on exercise or at night, while adults may experience tiredness and heaviness in the chest
- Common triggers of asthma include viral or bacterial infections, allergens, physical activity, stress, and certain drugs
- Patients with asthma, particularly children, may have a history of recurrent upper and lower respiratory tract infections and allergies
- Family history plays a role in asthma, and children of mothers who smoked while pregnant are more likely to develop asthma
- Physical examination may not detect abnormalities, but it can help exclude other possible causes like chest infection or heart failure
- Lung function tests, such as peak expiratory flow (PEF) and spirometry, are crucial for confirming the diagnosis of asthma
- PEF is a simple, quick, and inexpensive lung-function test that measures the maximum rate of air forcibly exhaled
- Spirometry provides more detailed information about the condition of the airways than PEF, measuring forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), and FEV1/FVC ratio
- A measured PEF less than 80% of predicted indicates airway obstruction, potentially due to asthma, but a diagnosis of asthma requires variability of 15% or more between two readings on separate occasions
- Spirometry measures such as FVC, FEV1, and FEV1/FVC ratio are compared with predicted values and abnormal results can indicate disease or airway obstruction
- Proper diagnosis of asthma involves comprehensive understanding of symptoms, triggers, family history, and accurate lung function tests.
Test your knowledge of asthma pathophysiology with this quiz. Explore the key components of inflammation and its role in asthma, as well as the different types of inflammation. Gain a deeper understanding of the pathophysiology of asthma and the key features of inflammation.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
