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| Frage | Antworten |
| What is asthma? | Chronic condition causing inflammation of the airways |
| What is the prevalence of asthma? | approx. 2.5 mill in Australia |
| What are the risk factors? | Other allergies Obesity Smoker Genetic component |
| What is the cause of asthma? | Not well known - some suggestions that parental smoking may play a role |
| Triggers of acute asthma episodes/ attacks | Environmental allergens Irritants such as cigarette smoke Resp. tract infections. Certain medications (i.e. aspirin) Exercise Emotional stress Food additives |
| General pathophys of asthma | Airways in persistent state of inflammation Oedema present in airway tissues |
| Pathophys of asthma during an acute episode | Inflammatory mediators are released in response to trigger This leads to airway hyperresponsiveness causing bronchoconstriction = airway obstruction The inflammatory response leads to oedema and hypersecretion of mucus in the airways - further restricting the airways. |
| Symptoms of acute asthma | recurrent episodes (acute attacks) of: High-pitched expiratory wheeze Breathlessness Chest tightness Non-productive cough Increased WOB Hypoxia |
| Respiratory assessment findings of acute asthma | May hear normal lung sounds or wheezing during acute phase. In a severe attack, there may be no or limited air entry noted. Accessory muscles may be used Tracheal tug may be present |
| What might vital signs do during an acute episode of asthma? | RR, HR = may increase BP = initial increase and then decrease if continues in severity SpO2 = decrease |
| path tests that may be carried out and what they might indicate | FBE - eosinophils ^ ABGs = initially show hypoxaemia & mild resp. Alkalosis. More severe will show start to show resp. Acidosis. |
| Other tests? | RFTs - to evaluate the degree of airway obstruction. |
| Relevant medications | Salbutamol (acute tx) Seretide (prevent) Ipratropium bromide (prevent) |
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