NAECB Self-Management Plans 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient's written asthma action plan should be updated at minimum:
- Every 5 years
- At every scheduled asthma visit or when medications change (Correct answer)
- Only when the patient is hospitalized
- Once the patient reaches stable control
Correct answer: At every scheduled asthma visit or when medications change
Action plans should be reviewed and updated at every asthma visit or whenever medications are adjusted to reflect current therapy.
Question 2: In a traffic-light asthma action plan, the RED zone typically indicates:
- Asthma is well controlled and no action is needed
- Symptoms are worsening and a step-up in medication may be needed
- A medical emergency requiring immediate action and possible 911 call (Correct answer)
- Mild symptoms that respond to a single rescue inhaler puff
Correct answer: A medical emergency requiring immediate action and possible 911 call
The RED zone represents a medical alert situation with severe symptoms that require immediate emergency medication and possible emergency services.
Question 3: Which peak flow measurement is used to calculate the personal best for a patient's action plan?
- The highest value recorded over 2–3 weeks when asthma is well controlled (Correct answer)
- The average of all peak flow readings over one month
- The lowest reading during the most recent asthma attack
- The predicted value based solely on height and age
Correct answer: The highest value recorded over 2–3 weeks when asthma is well controlled
Personal best peak flow is the highest reading achieved over 2–3 weeks when the patient is feeling well and asthma is under good control.
Question 4: A patient in the YELLOW zone of their asthma action plan should typically:
- Call 911 immediately
- Continue usual activities with no medication change
- Use their short-acting beta-agonist and contact their provider if improvement is insufficient (Correct answer)
- Double all controller medications without contacting a provider
Correct answer: Use their short-acting beta-agonist and contact their provider if improvement is insufficient
The YELLOW zone signals caution; patients should use rescue medication and follow up with their provider if symptoms do not improve adequately.
Question 5: For a symptom-based asthma action plan (without peak flow), the GREEN zone is defined by:
- No symptoms during the day or night and no activity limitation (Correct answer)
- Occasional nighttime symptoms fewer than four times per week
- Using a rescue inhaler more than twice per week for symptoms
- Peak flow between 50–79% of personal best
Correct answer: No symptoms during the day or night and no activity limitation
The GREEN zone on a symptom-based plan indicates well-controlled asthma with no daytime or nighttime symptoms and no activity limitation.
Question 6: When teaching a child's caregiver about the asthma action plan, the asthma educator should ensure:
- Only the child understands the plan since they experience symptoms
- Both the caregiver and child (age-appropriately) understand the plan and what to do in each zone (Correct answer)
- The plan is filed at school only and not kept at home
- The caregiver memorizes the plan without a written copy
Correct answer: Both the caregiver and child (age-appropriately) understand the plan and what to do in each zone
Both caregivers and children (at a developmentally appropriate level) should understand the action plan to promote effective self-management.
Question 7: Which statement best describes the purpose of a written asthma action plan?
- To replace regular follow-up appointments with a healthcare provider
- To guide patients in recognizing and responding to changes in asthma control (Correct answer)
- To document insurance information for billing purposes
- To list all allergens the patient must avoid permanently
Correct answer: To guide patients in recognizing and responding to changes in asthma control
A written asthma action plan empowers patients to monitor their asthma and take appropriate action based on symptoms or peak flow readings.
NAECB Self-Management Plans 2
A patient's written asthma action plan should be updated at minimum: