Understanding Asthma: Pathophysiology & Diagnosis

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A patient with severe and extensive asthma is likely to require what type of intervention due to their condition?

Prescription of anti-inflammatory drugs
Assisted ventilation (correct)
Allergy testing
Spirometry

Which of the following best describes the nature of airflow obstruction in asthma?

Complete and permanent blockage of the large airways.
Fixed and irreversible narrowing of the airways due to fibrosis.
Widespread but variable obstruction that is often reversible. (correct)
Localized obstruction due to foreign body aspiration.

Which of the following triggers is most likely to induce an asthma attack due to airway hyper-responsiveness?

Exercise
Exposure to cold air (correct)
Emotional distress
Exposure to house dust mite faeces

Which of the following is NOT a typical component of the pathophysiology of asthma?

Airway remodeling due to decreased structural cell proliferation. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Why is a cough associated with asthma often worse at night?

Lack of sleep and poor performance at school (A) Signup and view all the answers

The immediate response in sensitized atopic asthmatics following exposure to an allergen is primarily mediated by which type of hypersensitivity reaction?

Type I hypersensitivity (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of observing a 'polyphonic wheeze' during the auscultation of a patient suspected of having asthma?

It suggests multiple airways are narrowed to varying degrees. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to conduct a chest X-ray on a patient suspected of having asthma, even though asthma is primarily diagnosed through spirometry and clinical assessment?

To exclude other conditions such as foreign body inhalation or pneumothorax. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of TH2 cells in the pathophysiology of asthma?

Releasing cytokines that attract and activate inflammatory cells. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately reflects the epidemiology of asthma?

Asthma prevalence is increasing, particularly in developed countries. (A) Signup and view all the answers

A patient's spirometry results show a low FEV1/FVC ratio. What pharmacological treatment will improve these results?

Bronchodilators to dilate the airways (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of educating asthma patients about their condition and its management?

To enable patients to correctly recognize symptoms and manage their medication. (A) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of asthma, what is the 'hygiene hypothesis'?

Early childhood exposure to certain infections and microbes may protect against the development of allergic diseases like asthma. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following strategies is considered a primary prevention method for asthma?

Avoiding exposure to known allergens and triggers (B) Signup and view all the answers

During the late phase response in asthma, which type of hypersensitivity reaction is predominantly involved?

Type IV hypersensitivity, involving T cell-mediated inflammation. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following mediators is NOT typically released during the immediate response of an asthmatic reaction?

Interleukin-5 (IL-5) (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the role of eosinophils in airway inflammation in asthma?

They release mediators like Leukotriene C4, which are toxic to epithelial cells, causing shedding. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following contributes to the reduced airway calibre (airway narrowing) observed in asthma?

Mucosal swelling (oedema) due to vascular leak. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What are the characteristics of mucus produced in asthmatic airways?

Thick, tenacious, and slow-moving. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic change associated with long-term, poorly controlled asthma?

Hypertrophy and hyperplasia of smooth muscle. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How does airway narrowing affect gas exchange in individuals with asthma?

It causes a ventilation/perfusion mismatch, leading to reduced ventilation of affected alveoli. (A) Signup and view all the answers

In a patient experiencing a mild to moderate asthma attack, what arterial blood gas findings would be most likely?

Decreased pCO2 and decreased pO2 (Type 1 respiratory failure). (D) Signup and view all the answers

What blood gas finding is indicative of life-threatening asthma?

Increased pCO2. (A) Signup and view all the answers

A patient with asthma has an FEV1/FVC ratio of less than 70% on spirometry. What does this suggest about their condition?

The patient has an obstructive pattern consistent with asthma. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Asthma

Chronic inflammatory disorder of airways causing variable airflow obstruction and increased airway responsiveness.

Asthma Epidemiology

Asthma's prevalence is rising, especially in the developed world.