Test on Asthma: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Treatment

Question 1: In severe asthma exacerbation leading to type 2 respiratory failure, patients typically present with significantly worse hypoxia than hypercapnia.

A. Ano

B. Ne

Explanation: In type 2 respiratory failure associated with severe asthma, patients are characterized by high CO2 (hypercapnia) and low oxygen (hypoxia), but the low oxygen is not as severe as the CO2 buildup. Patients can often maintain high oxygen saturation levels for a long time while CO2 continues to build up significantly.

Question 2: According to the study materials, which of the following medications is identified as a significant trigger for asthma symptoms?

A. Interleukin-4

B. Beta blockers

C. Histamines

D. Dendritic cells

Explanation: The study materials state that 'other drugs so beta blockers tend to be a really big trigger here' for increased wall edema, mucus, and bronchospasm in asthma patients. Interleukin-4 is a cytokine, histamines are potent chemicals released by mast cells, and dendritic cells sense triggers, none of which are medications acting as triggers.

Question 3: Patients experiencing respiratory failure due to severe asthma typically exhibit an increased inspiratory to expiratory (I:E) ratio.

A. Ano

B. Ne

Explanation: The study materials indicate that patients with severe asthma have a very short inspiration and a very prolonged expiration, leading to a decreased I:E ratio.

Question 4: If a patient's FEV1 drops by more than 20% after receiving methacholine, this finding is highly suggestive of asthma.

A. Ano

B. Ne

Explanation: Administering methacholine can induce bronchoconstriction, causing the FEV1 to plummet. A drop in FEV1 greater than 20% after methacholine administration is very suggestive of asthma, indicating inducibility of the airways.

Question 5: According to the study materials, when performing a bronchodilator reversibility test to diagnose asthma, what FEV1 improvement percentage after administering a bronchodilator is considered suggestive of asthma?

A. Greater than 5%

B. Greater than 12%

C. Greater than 20%

D. Greater than 25%

Explanation: The study materials state that if a bronchodilator is given and the FEV1 improves by greater than 12%, that is suggestive of asthma.