Asthma Review - How Good Is Your Knowledge Of Asthma?

The answer is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways associated with episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing. This explanation accurately describes asthma as a condition characterized by inflammation of the airways, leading to symptoms such as wheezing, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, and coughing. Asthma is a chronic condition that can be managed but not cured, and it often presents with episodic symptoms triggered by various factors.

A physiotherapist plays a key role in the treatment of asthma by providing education to the patient about the disease and treatment options. This helps the patient understand their condition better and make informed decisions about their health. Additionally, the physiotherapist administers and educates the patient about airway clearance techniques, which can help improve breathing and reduce symptoms. Furthermore, they provide education about exercise and the option of pulmonary rehabilitation classes, which can help strengthen the respiratory muscles and improve overall lung function. Therefore, all of the given options are correct as they highlight different aspects of the physiotherapist's role in the treatment of asthma.

Allergic asthma is a type of asthma that is triggered by specific allergens such as dust mites and pollen. It typically starts in childhood or adolescence and presents with bronchoconstriction and inflammation of the airways. However, it is not a consequence of viral infection. Viral infections can exacerbate asthma symptoms, but they are not the underlying cause of allergic asthma.

Bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory agents are the two categories of pharmacological agents used in the treatment of asthma. Bronchodilators help to relax and widen the airways, making it easier for the person to breathe. They provide immediate relief during an asthma attack. On the other hand, anti-inflammatory agents, such as glucocorticoids, help to reduce inflammation and swelling in the airways, preventing asthma symptoms and reducing the frequency and severity of asthma attacks. These medications are typically used on a long-term basis to manage and control asthma symptoms.

The standard course of treatment for an exacerbation in adults is a short course of oral corticosteroids for 7-10 days. Corticosteroids help to reduce inflammation in the airways and improve symptoms during an exacerbation. Increasing the ICS dose may be considered in some cases, but it is not the standard treatment. Pursed lips breathing and relaxed control breathing techniques can help with symptom management, but they do not address the underlying inflammation. Using an MDI without a spacer is not recommended as it may result in inadequate medication delivery to the lungs.

The standard course of treatment for an exacerbation in children involves the initial administration of salbutamol (4-6 puffs) via MDI. Salbutamol is a bronchodilator that helps to open up the airways and improve breathing. It is commonly used in the treatment of asthma exacerbations. Administering it via MDI (Metered Dose Inhaler) allows for efficient delivery of the medication directly to the lungs. This initial treatment helps to relieve symptoms and improve lung function. Other treatments, such as oral corticosteroids and oxygen, may be used depending on the severity of the exacerbation.

The correct answer is males aged 10-14 years and females aged 20-24 years. This is because asthma is most prevalent in children and young adults. The age range of 10-14 years is a common time for asthma to develop in males, while females tend to experience a higher prevalence in their early twenties. Therefore, the combination of these two populations has the greatest prevalence of asthma.

Tilting the head back is not a common mistake when using an MDI. When using an MDI, it is important to keep the head upright and breathe in slowly and deeply while pressing the canister to release the medication. Tilting the head back can obstruct the proper delivery of the medication into the lungs. Therefore, it is important to avoid this mistake when using an MDI.

Oral thrush is not a potential side effect of bronchodilator drugs. Bronchodilator drugs are commonly used to treat asthma and other respiratory conditions by relaxing and opening up the airways. Potential side effects of bronchodilator drugs may include tremor, tachycardia (rapid heart rate), anxiety, and headache. However, oral thrush, which is a fungal infection in the mouth, is not a known side effect of these drugs.

Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, breastfeeding during infancy, and allergen avoidance are identified as crucial factors in the primary prevention of asthma. Environmental tobacco smoke can exacerbate asthma symptoms and increase the risk of developing asthma. Breastfeeding during infancy provides protective factors that can help reduce the risk of asthma. Allergen avoidance is important as exposure to allergens can trigger asthma attacks. These three factors, when practiced, can help prevent the onset of asthma and reduce the severity of symptoms in individuals who already have asthma.

Terbutaline and Salmeterol are examples of a short-acting beta agonist (SABA) and a long-acting beta agonist (LABA) respectively. SABAs like Terbutaline provide quick relief of bronchospasm and are commonly used as rescue medications for acute asthma attacks. LABAs like Salmeterol, on the other hand, provide long-term control of asthma symptoms and are used as maintenance therapy to prevent bronchospasm. Both medications work by relaxing the smooth muscles in the airways, allowing for easier breathing.

Dynamic airway collapse is not a hallmark feature of asthma. Asthma is characterized by bronchospasm, which is the constriction of the airways due to the tightening of the smooth muscles surrounding them. This leads to symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. Oedema refers to the swelling of the airway lining, while epithelial damage refers to the injury or destruction of the cells lining the airways. These two features are commonly seen in asthma, but dynamic airway collapse is not typically associated with the condition.

The Handihaler is not used to deliver asthma medication. It is a device used to deliver medication for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), specifically for the medication Spiriva. Asthma medications are commonly delivered through devices such as Autohaler, Turbuhaler, and MDI (Metered Dose Inhaler).

Dyspnoea, or difficulty breathing, is a symptom of asthma rather than a contributing factor to inspiratory muscle weakness. Increased use of steroid-based medication, reduced exercise tolerance, and inflammatory processes are all factors that can contribute to inspiratory muscle weakness in individuals with asthma.

Breathing exercises in asthma have been found to increase health-related quality of life. This means that engaging in these exercises can have a positive impact on the overall well-being and functioning of individuals with asthma. It does not decrease FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in 1 second) or the amount of exacerbations per week, as stated in the other answer options.