Question 1

What is the name for the microscopic structures formed from the breakdown of eosinophils in allergic asthma?
A) Charlene-Lichty crystals
B) Charcot-Leyden crystals
C) Colleen-Lyndahl clusters
D) Charles-Lahr casts

Accepted Answer

In allergic asthma, the airway mucosa is infiltrated with eosinophils and inflammatory cells. When the eosinophils break down, microscopic crystals, called Charcot-Leyden crystals, form.

Question 2

What findings on a chest radiograph would be expected during a prolonged asthma episode?
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

Accepted Answer

Because of the air trapping that occurs during an asthma attack, the lungs are hyperinflated. The diaphragm is depressed or flattened by the trapped air and the anterior-posterior diameter would be increased. A more subtle change would be darkened lung fields caused by the increased air within the alveoli.

Question 3

How many components of care are included in the NAEPP-EPR-3 asthma management guidelines?
A) 3
B) 4
C) 5
D) 6

Accepted Answer

According to the NAEPP-EPR-3, there are four components of care: assessment and monitoring, patient education, control of triggers/factors impacting asthma control, and pharmacologic treatments.

Question 4

After the inhalation of a bronchodilator, what percentage change in peak expiratory flow (PEFR) would be required to demonstrate reversible airflow limitation consistent with asthma?
A) -20%
B) -10%
C) +10%
D) >20%

Accepted Answer

After a bronchodilator, an improvement of 20% or greater in the PEFR would demonstrate positive airway response to the bronchodilator, consistent with asthma.

Question 5

Which of the following would be expected when a chest assessment is performed on a patient during an asthmatic episode?
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

Accepted Answer

Because of air trapping, which occurs during an asthma episode, decreased vocal (and tactile) fremitus and a hyperresonant percussion note would be expected.

Question 6

What is the term for an inspiratory fall in systolic blood pressure exceeding 10 mm Hg?
A) Pulsus paradoxus
B) Stage I hypotension
C) Swanson's phenomenon
D) Hoover's sign

Accepted Answer

Pulsus paradoxus is defined as an inspiratory fall in systolic blood pressure greater than 10 mm Hg. It can occur with the large intrapleural pressure swings than may happen during a severe asthmatic episode and is associated with a life-threatening situation.

Question 7

Which of the following is the acronym for the bronchospasm and airway inflammation resulting from the aspergillus fungus?
A) ABPA
B) AGA
C) ACOS
D) AEC

Accepted Answer

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is associated in patients with cystic fibrosis and asthma. It can result in wheezing, cough, shortness of breath, and decreased exercise tolerance.

Question 8

A sputum sample from a patient has been sent to the laboratory for analysis. Which of the following findings could help confirm the diagnosis of extrinsic asthma?
A) Increased IgE level
B) Increased erythrocyte count
C) Colonization of P. aeruginosa
D) Decreased IgE level

Accepted Answer

Patients with extrinsic asthma will demonstrate increased immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels.

Question 9

All of the following symptoms are commonly associated with asthma EXCEPT recurrent:
A) cough.
B) chest tightness.
C) fever.
D) wheeze.

Accepted Answer

A recurrent cough, recurrent chest tightness, and recurrent wheeze are symptoms associated with asthma.

Question 10

Which of the following ABG values would be consistent with ventilatory failure with hypoxemia in a patient with severe status asthmaticus? 1) Increased PaCO₂ 2) Decreased SaO₂ 3) Increased pH 4) Decreased pH A) 1, 2 B) 2, 3 C) 1, 2, 4 D) 1, 3, 4

Accepted Answer

During a severe asthmatic episode, the PaCO₂ will increase, the pH will decrease, and the SaO₂will fall. Swift action must to taken to aggressively treat the patient.

Question 11

What term is used to describe the situation when an initial asthmatic response occurs within 1 hour of exposure to an allergen followed by a delayed asthmatic response hours later?
A)Deferred dyspneic response
B)Asynchronous activation response
C)Biphasic response
D)Bipolar response

Accepted Answer

Emotional stress and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are associated with intrinsic asthma.

Question 12

At what age does asthma severity peak in males?
A) 1 and 3 years
B) 5 and 7 years
C) 18 and 20 years
D) 30 and 32 years

Accepted Answer

Asthma is more prevalent in young boys than young girls. Asthma severity peaks between ages 5 and 7 years and continues to lessen significantly during puberty.

Question 13

If a beta?-agonist agent and an anticholinergic agent were administered concurrently to a patient during an acute asthma episode, what result would be expected?
A) Bronchial smooth muscle contraction will occur.
B) Airway edema will increase.
C) The medications oppose each other, resulting in no airway changes.
D) Bronchial smooth muscle relaxation will occur.

Accepted Answer

Beta?-agonists and anticholinergic medications may both be required to treat a severe asthma episode and can be administered concurrently. Both of these medications are considered to be reliever medications in asthma management.

Question 14

Which of the following are associated with extrinsic asthma?
1) Animal dander
2) Mold
3) Emotional stress
4) Male gender
A) 1, 2
B) 2, 3
C) 1, 2, 3
D) 1, 3, 4

Accepted Answer

Extrinsic asthma, also called allergic asthma, is triggered by exposure to a specific allergen. Environmental factors, including exposure to mold and pet dander, can trigger asthmatic reactions.

Question 15

Which of the following factors are associated with intrinsic asthma? 
1. Emotional stress
2) Cockroach allergen
3) GERD
4) Dust mites
A) 2, 4
B) 1, 3
C) 2, 3, 4
D) 1, 2, 3, 4

Accepted Answer

Emotional stress and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are associated with intrinsic asthma.

Quiz 13: Asthma

What is the name for the microscopic structures formed from the breakdown of eosinophils in allergic asthma?

What findings on a chest radiograph would be expected during a prolonged asthma episode? 1) Depressed diaphragm 2) Increased anterior-posterior diameter 3) Asymmetrical lung inflation 4) Translucent lung fields

How many components of care are included in the NAEPP-EPR-3 asthma management guidelines?

After the inhalation of a bronchodilator, what percentage change in peak expiratory flow (PEFR) would be required to demonstrate reversible airflow limitation consistent with asthma?

Which of the following would be expected when a chest assessment is performed on a patient during an asthmatic episode? 1) Inverse I:E ratio 2) Decreased vocal fremitus 3) Increased vesicular breath sounds 4) Hyperresonant percussion note

What is the term for an inspiratory fall in systolic blood pressure exceeding 10 mm Hg?

Which of the following is the acronym for the bronchospasm and airway inflammation resulting from the aspergillus fungus?

A sputum sample from a patient has been sent to the laboratory for analysis. Which of the following findings could help confirm the diagnosis of extrinsic asthma?

All of the following symptoms are commonly associated with asthma EXCEPT recurrent:

Which of the following ABG values would be consistent with ventilatory failure with hypoxemia in a patient with severe status asthmaticus? 1) Increased PaCO2 2) Decreased SaO2 3) Increased pH 4) Decreased pH

What term is used to describe the situation when an initial asthmatic response occurs within 1 hour of exposure to an allergen followed by a delayed asthmatic response hours later?

At what age does asthma severity peak in males?

If a beta?-agonist agent and an anticholinergic agent were administered concurrently to a patient during an acute asthma episode, what result would be expected?

Which of the following are associated with extrinsic asthma? 1) Animal dander 2) Mold 3) Emotional stress 4) Male gender

Which of the following factors are associated with intrinsic asthma? 1. Emotional stress 2) Cockroach allergen 3) GERD 4) Dust mites

Which of the following ABG values would be consistent with ventilatory failure with hypoxemia in a patient with severe status asthmaticus? 1) Increased PaCO₂ 2) Decreased SaO₂ 3) Increased pH 4) Decreased pH