Signs & Symptoms Of Asthma Flashcards

Which characteristic of asthma wheezing helps distinguish it from other respiratory conditions?

Answer: It is typically polyphonic and diffuse

Asthma wheezing is typically polyphonic (multiple pitches) and diffuse, reflecting widespread airway narrowing throughout the lungs.

A patient reports that symptoms worsen when exposed to cold air and improve in warm, humid environments. This pattern is MOST consistent with:

Answer: Allergic asthma triggered by temperature

Cold, dry air is a known non-allergic trigger that causes airway hyperresponsiveness, and symptom relief in warm, humid air supports an asthma diagnosis.

Which sign indicates increased work of breathing in a pediatric asthma patient?

Answer: Intercostal retractions

Intercostal retractions indicate accessory muscle use and increased negative intrathoracic pressure, signaling significant respiratory distress in children.

A patient with asthma develops a 'silent chest' during an acute attack. This finding indicates:

Answer: Severe obstruction with minimal air movement

A silent chest in an asthma attack is an ominous sign indicating such severe obstruction that there is insufficient airflow to generate wheeze.

Which symptom pattern is MOST characteristic of nocturnal asthma?

Answer: Coughing and wheezing that wake the patient between 2–4 AM

Nocturnal asthma classically causes symptoms in the early morning hours (2–4 AM) due to circadian dips in cortisol and epinephrine and increased airway inflammation.

Pulsus paradoxus greater than 12 mmHg during an asthma attack suggests:

Answer: Severe bronchospasm with significant intrathoracic pressure swings

An exaggerated pulsus paradoxus (>12 mmHg) during acute asthma reflects large swings in intrathoracic pressure from severe airflow obstruction.

Which symptom distinguishes asthma from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in terms of reversibility?

Answer: Asthma symptoms and airflow obstruction are largely reversible with bronchodilators

A hallmark feature of asthma is that airflow obstruction and associated symptoms are largely reversible either spontaneously or with bronchodilator treatment.