ABFM / KSA Asthma Actual Exam 70
QUESTION AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES .
Which Saudi guideline is used for asthma management in KSA?
A. NAEPP
B. SINA (Saudi Initiative for Asthma)
C. BTS
D. GINA only
Answer: B — SINA
Rationale: The Saudi Initiative for Asthma (SINA) is the national guideline
developed by the Saudi Thoracic Society for diagnosis and management of asthma
in Saudi Arabia.
1. According to SINA-2024, asthma control is assessed by:
A. Only symptom severity
B. Symptom control + risk assessment
C. Spirometry only
D. Blood eosinophils
Answer: B — Symptom control + risk assessment
Rationale: The 2024 SINA guidelines emphasize both control of symptoms and risk
(exacerbations, lung function decline) when managing asthma. PubMed
2. Which is a correct statement about asthma prevalence in Saudi Arabia?
A. It is less than 1% in children
B. Prevalence in 13-14 year olds is over 13%
C. Only adults have significant prevalence
D. It has been decreasing in recent years
Answer: B — Prevalence in 13-14 year olds is over 13%
Rationale: The Global Asthma Report (2022) reports asthma prevalence in KSA
around 13.3% in 13–14-year-olds. Global Asthma Report
, 3. Which of the following medications is included in SINA's updated
Appendix (2024)?
A. Only old corticosteroids
B. New biologic agents
C. Only short-acting beta-agonists
D. No changes since 2014
Answer: B — New biologic agents
Rationale: The SINA-2024 update includes newer biologics, evidence-based
updates, and new indications for existing medications. PubMed+1
4. In a severe or life-threatening acute asthma attack (according to Saudi
MOH pocket guide), which of the following is recommended immediately?
A. Oral antihistamine
B. Systemic corticosteroids + nebulized salbutamol + ipratropium + oxygen
C. Only oxygen therapy
D. Antibiotics
Answer: B — Systemic corticosteroids + nebulized salbutamol + ipratropium +
oxygen
Rationale: The Saudi MOH pocket guideline states that in life-threatening asthma,
you should start repeated nebulizations of salbutamol and ipratropium with
oxygen and administer systemic corticosteroids. وزارة الصحة السعودية
5. Which of the following is a red-flag sign in acute asthma per Saudi pocket
guide?
A. Ability to speak in full sentences
B. O₂ saturation < 92%
C. Only mild wheezing
D. Respiratory rate normal for age
Answer: B — O₂ saturation < 92%
Rationale: Hypoxemia (O₂ < 92%) is one of the indicators of life-threatening
asthma in the MOH pocket guide. وزارة الصحة السعودية
6. According to SINA, patient-doctor partnership includes:
A. Doctor making all decisions alone
B. Using a written self-management plan
, C. No need for patient education
D. Only doctors adjust therapy
Answer: B — Using a written self-management plan
Rationale: SINA guidelines emphasize a self-management plan and partnership
between patient and provider. saudithoracicsociety.org
7. What is the role of biologic therapy in the SINA-2024 guidelines?
A. First-line for all asthma patients
B. Reserved for severe asthma not controlled by standard therapy
C. Not included in SINA
D. Only for children under 5
Answer: B — Reserved for severe asthma not controlled by standard therapy
Rationale: SINA-2024 includes biologic agents for personalized management of
severe asthma. PubMed
8. Which age groups are specifically addressed in the SINA-2024 guidelines
for treatment?
A. Only adults
B. Only children
C. Adults, adolescents, children 5–12, and < 5 years
D. Only > 12 years
Answer: C — Adults, adolescents, children 5–12, and < 5 years
Rationale: SINA-2024 tailors recommendations to these age groups.
medatlax.com
9. Which inhaled therapy is often underused in KSA according to local
studies?
A. SABA
B. Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS)
C. Oral beta-agonists
D. Antibiotics
Answer: B — Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS)
Rationale: Research in KSA shows suboptimal ICS use in children; many patients
use only β₂-agonists. espace.curtin.edu.au
QUESTION AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES .
Which Saudi guideline is used for asthma management in KSA?
A. NAEPP
B. SINA (Saudi Initiative for Asthma)
C. BTS
D. GINA only
Answer: B — SINA
Rationale: The Saudi Initiative for Asthma (SINA) is the national guideline
developed by the Saudi Thoracic Society for diagnosis and management of asthma
in Saudi Arabia.
1. According to SINA-2024, asthma control is assessed by:
A. Only symptom severity
B. Symptom control + risk assessment
C. Spirometry only
D. Blood eosinophils
Answer: B — Symptom control + risk assessment
Rationale: The 2024 SINA guidelines emphasize both control of symptoms and risk
(exacerbations, lung function decline) when managing asthma. PubMed
2. Which is a correct statement about asthma prevalence in Saudi Arabia?
A. It is less than 1% in children
B. Prevalence in 13-14 year olds is over 13%
C. Only adults have significant prevalence
D. It has been decreasing in recent years
Answer: B — Prevalence in 13-14 year olds is over 13%
Rationale: The Global Asthma Report (2022) reports asthma prevalence in KSA
around 13.3% in 13–14-year-olds. Global Asthma Report
, 3. Which of the following medications is included in SINA's updated
Appendix (2024)?
A. Only old corticosteroids
B. New biologic agents
C. Only short-acting beta-agonists
D. No changes since 2014
Answer: B — New biologic agents
Rationale: The SINA-2024 update includes newer biologics, evidence-based
updates, and new indications for existing medications. PubMed+1
4. In a severe or life-threatening acute asthma attack (according to Saudi
MOH pocket guide), which of the following is recommended immediately?
A. Oral antihistamine
B. Systemic corticosteroids + nebulized salbutamol + ipratropium + oxygen
C. Only oxygen therapy
D. Antibiotics
Answer: B — Systemic corticosteroids + nebulized salbutamol + ipratropium +
oxygen
Rationale: The Saudi MOH pocket guideline states that in life-threatening asthma,
you should start repeated nebulizations of salbutamol and ipratropium with
oxygen and administer systemic corticosteroids. وزارة الصحة السعودية
5. Which of the following is a red-flag sign in acute asthma per Saudi pocket
guide?
A. Ability to speak in full sentences
B. O₂ saturation < 92%
C. Only mild wheezing
D. Respiratory rate normal for age
Answer: B — O₂ saturation < 92%
Rationale: Hypoxemia (O₂ < 92%) is one of the indicators of life-threatening
asthma in the MOH pocket guide. وزارة الصحة السعودية
6. According to SINA, patient-doctor partnership includes:
A. Doctor making all decisions alone
B. Using a written self-management plan
, C. No need for patient education
D. Only doctors adjust therapy
Answer: B — Using a written self-management plan
Rationale: SINA guidelines emphasize a self-management plan and partnership
between patient and provider. saudithoracicsociety.org
7. What is the role of biologic therapy in the SINA-2024 guidelines?
A. First-line for all asthma patients
B. Reserved for severe asthma not controlled by standard therapy
C. Not included in SINA
D. Only for children under 5
Answer: B — Reserved for severe asthma not controlled by standard therapy
Rationale: SINA-2024 includes biologic agents for personalized management of
severe asthma. PubMed
8. Which age groups are specifically addressed in the SINA-2024 guidelines
for treatment?
A. Only adults
B. Only children
C. Adults, adolescents, children 5–12, and < 5 years
D. Only > 12 years
Answer: C — Adults, adolescents, children 5–12, and < 5 years
Rationale: SINA-2024 tailors recommendations to these age groups.
medatlax.com
9. Which inhaled therapy is often underused in KSA according to local
studies?
A. SABA
B. Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS)
C. Oral beta-agonists
D. Antibiotics
Answer: B — Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS)
Rationale: Research in KSA shows suboptimal ICS use in children; many patients
use only β₂-agonists. espace.curtin.edu.au
