FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND ALL
CORRECT ANSWERS.
Asthma is a disease that involves - Answer - periodic episodes of severe, reversible bronchial
obstruction in its with: hypersensitive or hyperresponsive airways
Frequent repeated attacks of acute asthma may lead to... - Answer Irreversible lung damage
and development of chronic asthma (C.O.L.D
(chronic obstructive lung disease))
Asthma is classified into two types - Answer Extrinsic and Intrinsic asthma
Extrinsic asthma - Answer is more common in childhood, and causes bronchioles constriction
as a result of an outside substance like dust.
-hypersensitivity
- family hx of allergic conditions ex. allergic rhinitis, eczema
Intrinsic asthma - Answer is more common in adults where no specific cause for the
bronchioles constriction can be identified
-hyperresponsiveness
-resp infections
-stress
-exposure to cold
-exercise
-drugs ex. aspirin
- inhaling irritants ex. cigarette smoke
,Case of asthma on a clinical scale rating - Answer mild and intermittent to severe and
persistent
All types of asthma exhibit the same path changes r/t inflammation during an acute attack. The
bronchi & bronchioles respond to the stimuli with 3 changes... - Answer 1. inflammation
2. contraction of sm (bronchoconstriction)
3. increased secretion of thick mucus in the airway
These 3 changes can... - Answer can cause partial or total obstruction of airways
-interferes w/ airflow and o2 supply
In patients with extrinsic asthma, the antigen reacts with immunoglobulin E and release....
which causes... - Answer - histamine
-kinins
-prostaglandins
-other chemical mediators
CAUSES INFLAMMATION, BRONCHOSPASM, EDEMA, INCREASED MUCUS SECRETION
AND BRONCHOCONSTRICTION
What do leukotrienes do? (chemical mediators) - Answer cause prolonged inflammation,
bronchoconstriction, and epithet damage
Partial obstruction of the small bronchi and bronchioles results in... - Answer air trapping and
hyperinflation of the lungs
Total obstruction of the airway results when... - Answer mucus plugs completely block the flow
of air in the already narrowed passage.
, Status asthmaticus - Answer a severe, life-threatening asthma attack that can put the patient
at risk for developing respiratory failure.
- r/t inadequate medical treatment
- MEDICAL EMERGENCY
- does not respond to usual therapy
- may be fatal because of severe hypoxia and acidosis ----> cardiac arrhythmias or CNS
depression
etiology of asthma - Answer - family hx of hay fever, eczema
- viral upper resp infections precipitate attacks
contributing factors: sedentary lifestyles, kids staying indoors resulting in increased exposure to
allergens amid poor ventilation, increased air pollution
How do you know when a pt is undergoing respiratory failure? - Answer - decreased
responsiveness
- cyanosis
signs and symptoms of an acute asthma attack - Answer - cough
- dyspnea
- chest tightness w/ agitation
- wheezing
- rapid, laboured breathing
- thick and tenacious or sticky mucus coughed up
- tachycardia
- pulsus paradoxus
- hypoxia
- respiratory alkalosis d/t hyperventilation
- respiratory acidosis d/t air trapping
- severe respiratory distress, - hypoventilation ---> to increasing hypoxemia & respiratory
acidosis