NURS 651 2025 Study Companion | Verified Quiz
Collection for Guaranteed Success
Asthma - Chronic respiratory disease characterized by periods of coughing, wheezing,
respiratory distress, and bronchospasms. Can have persistent cough without wheezing.
Physiology of Asthma - Result of immunohistopathologic responses that produce
shedding of airway epithelium & collagen deposition beneath the basement membrane, edema,
mast cell activation & inflammatory infiltration by eosinophils, lymphocytes, & neutrophils.
Persistent inflammation can result in irreversible changes (airway remodeling d/t persistent
fibrotic changes of airway lining- decreasing diameter).
Inflammation causes acute bronchoconstriction, airway edema, mucus plug formation, & trigger
a hyperresponsiveness (severity can change over time) to a variety of stimuli (allergens,
exercise, cold air, physical/chemical/pharmacologic agents). Strongest predisposing risk factor-
atopy: genetic predisposition for the development of an IgE mediated response to common
aeroallergens. Exacerbations involve progressive worsening of SOB, cough, wheezing, chest
tightness.
Asthma Triggers - viral/bacterial infection, seasonal patterns (change in barometric
pressure, temp, cold air), exercise, pollution, smoking, pregnancy, & psychological stress (crying,
laughter, anxiety attack/panic disorder), AR or sinusitis, food additives (sulfites), endocrine
factors (obesity), drugs (Tylenol, aspirin, beta-blockers), GERD
Allergen induced asthma - often evidence of sensitization to house dust mites,
cockroaches, indoor molds, saliva/dander of cats/dogs, outdoor seasonal molds, airborne
pollens (trees, grasses, weeds), food allergy (eggs/tree nuts).
Early asthmatic response (EAR) - characterized by activation of mast cells/mediators w/
bronchoconstriction being a key feature. Starts w/in 15-30 min of mast cell activation & resolves
w/in about 1 hr if removed from offending allergen.
Late phase asthmatic response - prolonged inflammatory state that follows EAR w/in 4-
12hrs- associated w/ airway hyperresponsiveness more severe than the EAR presentation & can
last several hours to weeks
Exercise-induced bronchospam - describes the phenomenon of airway narrowing during
or minutes after the onset of vigorous activity. Prevalence highest 5-17 yrs & black children.
, 12 months and older - Age minimum for asthma to be diagnosed due to high rate of viral
illnesses that cause bronchiolitis
Intermittent Asthma - Symptoms: Two times or less per week. Asymptomatic and normal
PEF between exacerbations. Requires SABA 2 days/week (example albuterol). Exacerbations
brief few hrs to days varying in intensity. No interference with normal activity.
Night time symptoms: two times or less per week
Lung function: FEV >80%, Normal FEV between exacerbations
Mild Persistent Asthma - Symptoms: More than two times per week but less than one
time per day. Requires SABA more than two days/week but not more than one time per day.
Exacerbations may affect activity.
Night time symptoms: Three to four times per month.
Lung function: FEV >60%
Moderate Persistent Asthma - Symptoms: Daily symptoms, Daily use of inhaled SABA,
Some limitations, Exacerbations affect activity. Two time or more per week may last days
Night time symptoms: More than one time per week but not nightly
Lung function: FEV >60% but <80% predicted
Severe Persistent Asthma - Symptoms: Continual symptoms, Requires SABA several times
per day, Extremely limited physical activity, Frequent exacerbations
Night time symptoms: Often seven times per week
Lung function: FEV <60% predicted
Mild Assessment of Asthma & Severity - •Wheezing at the end of expiration or no
wheezing
•None or minimal intercostal retractions along posterior axillary line
•Slight prolongation of exp phase
•Normal aeration in lung fields
•Can talk in full sentences
Severe Classification of Asthma Exacerbation - •Breathless while are rest
•Infant stops feeding
Collection for Guaranteed Success
Asthma - Chronic respiratory disease characterized by periods of coughing, wheezing,
respiratory distress, and bronchospasms. Can have persistent cough without wheezing.
Physiology of Asthma - Result of immunohistopathologic responses that produce
shedding of airway epithelium & collagen deposition beneath the basement membrane, edema,
mast cell activation & inflammatory infiltration by eosinophils, lymphocytes, & neutrophils.
Persistent inflammation can result in irreversible changes (airway remodeling d/t persistent
fibrotic changes of airway lining- decreasing diameter).
Inflammation causes acute bronchoconstriction, airway edema, mucus plug formation, & trigger
a hyperresponsiveness (severity can change over time) to a variety of stimuli (allergens,
exercise, cold air, physical/chemical/pharmacologic agents). Strongest predisposing risk factor-
atopy: genetic predisposition for the development of an IgE mediated response to common
aeroallergens. Exacerbations involve progressive worsening of SOB, cough, wheezing, chest
tightness.
Asthma Triggers - viral/bacterial infection, seasonal patterns (change in barometric
pressure, temp, cold air), exercise, pollution, smoking, pregnancy, & psychological stress (crying,
laughter, anxiety attack/panic disorder), AR or sinusitis, food additives (sulfites), endocrine
factors (obesity), drugs (Tylenol, aspirin, beta-blockers), GERD
Allergen induced asthma - often evidence of sensitization to house dust mites,
cockroaches, indoor molds, saliva/dander of cats/dogs, outdoor seasonal molds, airborne
pollens (trees, grasses, weeds), food allergy (eggs/tree nuts).
Early asthmatic response (EAR) - characterized by activation of mast cells/mediators w/
bronchoconstriction being a key feature. Starts w/in 15-30 min of mast cell activation & resolves
w/in about 1 hr if removed from offending allergen.
Late phase asthmatic response - prolonged inflammatory state that follows EAR w/in 4-
12hrs- associated w/ airway hyperresponsiveness more severe than the EAR presentation & can
last several hours to weeks
Exercise-induced bronchospam - describes the phenomenon of airway narrowing during
or minutes after the onset of vigorous activity. Prevalence highest 5-17 yrs & black children.
, 12 months and older - Age minimum for asthma to be diagnosed due to high rate of viral
illnesses that cause bronchiolitis
Intermittent Asthma - Symptoms: Two times or less per week. Asymptomatic and normal
PEF between exacerbations. Requires SABA 2 days/week (example albuterol). Exacerbations
brief few hrs to days varying in intensity. No interference with normal activity.
Night time symptoms: two times or less per week
Lung function: FEV >80%, Normal FEV between exacerbations
Mild Persistent Asthma - Symptoms: More than two times per week but less than one
time per day. Requires SABA more than two days/week but not more than one time per day.
Exacerbations may affect activity.
Night time symptoms: Three to four times per month.
Lung function: FEV >60%
Moderate Persistent Asthma - Symptoms: Daily symptoms, Daily use of inhaled SABA,
Some limitations, Exacerbations affect activity. Two time or more per week may last days
Night time symptoms: More than one time per week but not nightly
Lung function: FEV >60% but <80% predicted
Severe Persistent Asthma - Symptoms: Continual symptoms, Requires SABA several times
per day, Extremely limited physical activity, Frequent exacerbations
Night time symptoms: Often seven times per week
Lung function: FEV <60% predicted
Mild Assessment of Asthma & Severity - •Wheezing at the end of expiration or no
wheezing
•None or minimal intercostal retractions along posterior axillary line
•Slight prolongation of exp phase
•Normal aeration in lung fields
•Can talk in full sentences
Severe Classification of Asthma Exacerbation - •Breathless while are rest
•Infant stops feeding
