Deck 12: Asthma

Question 1

A patient has been admitted to the hospital with a suspected asthma attack. What radiographic findings would confirm this diagnosis?
1) Depressed diaphragm
2) Increased anterior-posterior diameter
3) Asymmetrical lung inflation
4) Translucent lung fields

A)1, 2
B)3, 4
C)1, 2, 4
D)1, 2, 3, 4

Answer 1

1, 2, 4

Question 2

If an asthmatic patient is given a sympathomimetic and parasympatholytic medication, what can be expected to happen?

A) Bronchial smooth muscle contraction will occur.
B)Airway edema will be reduced.
C)Nothing, since the two medications have opposite effects.
D)Bronchial smooth muscle relaxation will occur.

Answer 2

Bronchial smooth muscle relaxation will occur.

Question 3

After a patient inhales a bronchodilator medication, what percentage change in peak expiratory flow (PEF) indicates a diagnosis of asthma?

A) -20%
B)-10%
C)+10%
D)>20%

Answer 3

>20%

Question 4

A patient with a severe asthma attack has many mucus plugs. What structural changes can be expected because of this?

A) Atelectasis
B)Fibrosis
C)Alveolar hyperinflation
D)Pulmonary edema

Question 5

If an asthmatic patient is not properly treated and has long-term airway inflammation, what can occur?

A) Chronic bronchitis
B)Pulmonary fibrosis
C)Irreversible loss of airway caliber
D)Emphysema

Question 6

An asthmatic patient has been complaining of increased difficulty breathing. The physician has ordered pulmonary function testing to be performed. Which of the following findings would confirm how the patient feels?
1) Decreased tidal volume
2) Decreased FRC
3) Increased RV
4) Decreased VC

A)2
B)1, 3
C)1, 2
D)3, 4

Question 7

Mechanical ventilation may be required during which of the following situations?

A) Status asthmaticus
B)Intrinsic asthma
C)Early asthmatic response
D)Nonatopic asthma

Question 8

What medical term is used to describe when an asthmatic patient has an early response followed by a late response to an allergen?

A) Intrinsic asthma
B)Antigen-antibody response
C)Biphasic response
D)Bilateral response

Question 9

A sputum sample from a suspected asthmatic patient has been sent to the laboratory for analysis. Which of the following findings would confirm the diagnosis?

A) Increased IgE level
B)Increased erythrocytes
C)Increased leukocytes
D)Decreased IgE level

Question 10

A patient is having a severe asthma attack. What blood gas results would indicate to the respiratory therapist and physician that the patient is having great difficulty?
1) Increased carbon dioxide level
2) Decreased carbon dioxide level
3) Increased pH
4) Decreased oxygen level

A)4
B)2, 3
C)1, 4
D)1, 3, 4

Question 11

Pulsus paradoxus would be manifested as:

A) a greater than 40 mm Hg difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressures.
B)inspiratory systolic blood pressure >10 mm Hg less than during expiration.
C)inspiratory diastolic blood pressure >10 mm Hg less than during expiration.
D)systolic and diastolic blood pressure reading being reversed.

Question 12

As a respiratory therapist, you are performing a chest assessment. What findings would be common in a patient during an asthma attack?
1) Inverse I:E ratio
2) Decreased vocal fremitus
3) Increased vesicular breath sounds
4) Hyperresonant percussion note

A)1, 4
B)2, 4
C)2, 3, 4
D)1, 2, 3, 4

Question 13

Which of the following are associated with so-called intrinsic asthma?
1) Emotional stress
2) Cockroach allergen
3) GERD
4) Obesity

A)2, 4
B)1, 3
C)2, 3, 4
D)1, 2, 3, 4

Question 14

Which of the following are associated with so-called extrinsic asthma?
1) Dog dander
2) Mold
3) Aspirin
4) Being a young male

A)1, 2
B)2, 3
C)1, 2, 3
D)2, 3, 4