NRS 6647 Chronic respiratory disorders|Asthma, COPD, Chronic Bronchitis, Emphysema, Airway Hyperreactivity, Bronchoconstriction, Mucus Plug, Inflammation, Reversible Obstruction, Spirometry, Peak Flow, FEV1/FVC Ratio, GOLD Staging, Bronchodilators, LABA,

NRS 6647 Chronic respiratory disorders|Asthma, COPD, Chronic Bronchitis, Emphysema, Airway Hyperreactivity, Bronchoconstriction, Mucus Plug, Inflammation, Reversible Obstruction, Spirometry, Peak Flow, FEV1/FVC Ratio, GOLD Staging, Bronchodilators, LABA, LAMA, ICS, Pulmonary Function Testing, Oxygen Therapy, Smoking Cessation, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Apnea-Hypopnea Index, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, Upper Airway Obstruction, Interstitial Lung Disease, Pulmonary Fibrosis, Restrictive Lung Disease, Hypoxemia, Ventilation-Perfusion Mismatch, Corticosteroids, Immunosuppressive Therapy, Environmental Exposure, Lung Compliance, Pulmonology Referral Exam Questions Verified and Provided with Complete A+ Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026 Asthma definition Chronic inflammatory obstructive disease Characterized by reversible hyperreactivity of the bronchi and bronchioles Asthma pathophysiology Bronchial obstruction resulting from acute airway constriction, airway edema, mucous plug formation asthma May occur at any age Affects more than 100 million people worldwide and that number is increasing Effects more than 8.2% of adults and 9.6% of children in the U.S. Mortality rate for African Americans is higher than for Caucasians Accounts for more than 134 million days of restricted activity and about half a million hospitalizations annually 5500 deaths annually in the U.S. Asthma characteristics Characteristics: recurrent wheeze, cough (mainly at night/exposure), mild to severe respiratory distress Exposure/offenders: exercise, allergens, weather changes, animals, viral infections, smoke, stress Asthma diagnostics Peak flow 20% variant from first morning to mid afternoon post meds Patient symptoms, triggers, airway irritability Spirometry Differential diagnostics: GERD, vocal cord dysfunction, heart disease, sinusitis, allergies Asthma: treatment Asthma action plan Treat GERD if present, double PPI for a short time if necessary Test for an treat allergies: test for IgE and RAST, antihistamines, leukotrine receptor antagonist (montelukast), Dupixent, Xolair possible med/Nucala/others; allergy shots asthma education Basic asthma facts Correct use of inhalers Recognizing symptoms of exacerbation and what to do Difference between short and long acting medication Peak flow meter use Use of nebulizer if necessary Environmental control Avoidance of triggers Vaccinations: pneumococcal and annal flu shot chronic bronchitis Characteristics: productive cough (clear to green), dyspnea (with or without exertion), edema, rhonchi and audible expiratory wheeze, JVD distention (3rd heart sound) Differential diagnosis just as with asthma chronic bronchitis treatment: not infectious check o2 rescue inhaler mucolytics (optimized) remove exposures/irritants may need pain control for chronic cough chronic bronchitis treatment: if yes infectious check o2 check sputum rescue inhaler mucolytis (optimized) remove exposures/irritants abx - z pack may need pain control for chronic cough