Asthma Exam updated questions and
CORRECT answers
What is the definition of asthma? - CORRECT ANSWER A chronic inflammatory
disorder of the airways.
Describe the inflammatory cell infiltration seen immunohistopatholgically in asthma (5). -
CORRECT ANSWER -Neutrophils; especially in sudden onset, fatal asthma
exacerbations, occupational asthma and patients who smoke
-Eosinophils
-Lymphocytes
-Mast cell activation
-Epithelium injury
What clinical features does airway inflammation contribute to (4)? - CORRECT
ANSWER -Hyperresponsiveness
-Airflow limitation
-Respiratory symptoms
-Disease chronicity
In some patients persistent changes in airway structure can occur, what are these changes (5)?
- CORRECT ANSWER -Sub-basement fibrosis
-Mucus hypersecretion
-Injury to epithelial cells
-Smooth muscle hypertrophy
-Angiogenesis
What is the strongest identifiable predisposing factor for developing asthma? - CORRECT
ANSWER Atopy, the genetic predisposition for the development of of an IgE mediated
response to common aeroallergens.
, What is one of the most important causes of asthma exacerbation? - CORRECT
ANSWER Viral infections.
What is the classic triad seen in the clinical presentation of asthma? - CORRECT
ANSWER -Dyspnea
-Cough
-Wheezing
What are the other key clinical features of asthma (2)? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Symptoms often worsen at night
-Highly variable presentation
Describe how asthma can have a variable presentation. - CORRECT ANSWER Many
patients will have only one symptom, such as cough. Some will have rare symptoms, others
with almost continuous symptoms.
What are the factors limiting airflow in acute and persistent asthma (3)? - CORRECT
ANSWER -Bronchospasm
-Inflammation (acute and persistent)
-Remodeling
What is the prevalence of asthma (3)? - CORRECT ANSWER -Over 22 million
Americans are affected
-Most common chronic disease of childhood
-Death rate doubled from 1980-1993; has since slowed
Describe the etiology of childhood-onset asthma (2). - CORRECT ANSWER -Often
begins in childhood, often first expressed by wheezing during a viral illness
-Atopy is the strongest predisposing factor (allergic asthma)
CORRECT answers
What is the definition of asthma? - CORRECT ANSWER A chronic inflammatory
disorder of the airways.
Describe the inflammatory cell infiltration seen immunohistopatholgically in asthma (5). -
CORRECT ANSWER -Neutrophils; especially in sudden onset, fatal asthma
exacerbations, occupational asthma and patients who smoke
-Eosinophils
-Lymphocytes
-Mast cell activation
-Epithelium injury
What clinical features does airway inflammation contribute to (4)? - CORRECT
ANSWER -Hyperresponsiveness
-Airflow limitation
-Respiratory symptoms
-Disease chronicity
In some patients persistent changes in airway structure can occur, what are these changes (5)?
- CORRECT ANSWER -Sub-basement fibrosis
-Mucus hypersecretion
-Injury to epithelial cells
-Smooth muscle hypertrophy
-Angiogenesis
What is the strongest identifiable predisposing factor for developing asthma? - CORRECT
ANSWER Atopy, the genetic predisposition for the development of of an IgE mediated
response to common aeroallergens.
, What is one of the most important causes of asthma exacerbation? - CORRECT
ANSWER Viral infections.
What is the classic triad seen in the clinical presentation of asthma? - CORRECT
ANSWER -Dyspnea
-Cough
-Wheezing
What are the other key clinical features of asthma (2)? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Symptoms often worsen at night
-Highly variable presentation
Describe how asthma can have a variable presentation. - CORRECT ANSWER Many
patients will have only one symptom, such as cough. Some will have rare symptoms, others
with almost continuous symptoms.
What are the factors limiting airflow in acute and persistent asthma (3)? - CORRECT
ANSWER -Bronchospasm
-Inflammation (acute and persistent)
-Remodeling
What is the prevalence of asthma (3)? - CORRECT ANSWER -Over 22 million
Americans are affected
-Most common chronic disease of childhood
-Death rate doubled from 1980-1993; has since slowed
Describe the etiology of childhood-onset asthma (2). - CORRECT ANSWER -Often
begins in childhood, often first expressed by wheezing during a viral illness
-Atopy is the strongest predisposing factor (allergic asthma)
