Asthma Education Flashcards

A patient with moderate persistent asthma uses their short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) more than twice per week. What does this indicate?

Answer: Inadequate asthma control requiring step-up therapy

SABA use more than twice per week (excluding exercise) signals poorly controlled asthma and indicates the need for step-up therapy.

Which inhaler technique error is most common among patients using a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) without a spacer?

Answer: Inhaling too rapidly, reducing drug deposition in the lungs

Inhaling too rapidly causes turbulent airflow that deposits drug in the oropharynx rather than the lower airways.

A child with asthma has nighttime awakenings 3-4 times per month. According to NAEPP guidelines, how would this child's asthma be classified?

Answer: Mild persistent

Nighttime awakenings 3-4 times per month (more than twice per month but not weekly) classify asthma as mild persistent.

Which environmental trigger is most strongly associated with asthma exacerbations in children living in urban environments?

Answer: Cockroach allergen

Cockroach allergen is the most potent indoor allergen trigger for asthma in urban-dwelling children.

When teaching a patient about peak flow monitoring, the green zone represents what percentage of their personal best?

Answer: 80-100%

The green zone (80-100% of personal best) indicates good asthma control with no action needed.

A patient asks about the difference between a controller medication and a rescue medication. Which of the following is the BEST explanation?

Answer: Controller medications prevent inflammation long-term; rescue medications provide quick symptom relief

Controller medications (e.g., inhaled corticosteroids) reduce chronic inflammation, while rescue medications (e.g., SABAs) provide rapid bronchodilation during acute symptoms.

Which of the following is a goal of asthma self-management education according to the NAEPP Expert Panel Report?

Answer: Enabling patients to monitor symptoms and adjust therapy using an action plan

A core NAEPP goal is patient empowerment through written action plans that guide self-monitoring and appropriate therapy adjustment.