Asthma
Anesthesia Pharmacology Chapter 19:
Co-Existing Conditions (Asthma) Practice Questions
Click on the correct answer.
May precipitate acute asthma:
exercise
aspirin
respiratory infection
A, B, C
Some asthmatic patients exhibit aspirin sensitivity (and sensitivity to other NSAIDS). Daily administration of aspirin causes desensitization not only to aspirin also to other NSAIDS. This phenomenon is:
the placebo effect
cross-tolerance
efficacy
potency
A thirty-eight year old asthmatic who has been using beta adrenergic agonists for several years began to experience arrhythmias, premature atrial contractions. In order to suppress the arrhythmias, high-dose metoprolol therapy was started. Suggest a likely consequence:
The cardioselective beta-blocker, metoprolol, alleviated the arrhythmia and did not affect the patient's asthma symptoms
Since metoprolol is a beta agonist, the patient's arrhythmias worsened, but symptoms of asthma improved.
The expiratory component of the patient's flow/volume curve was shortened.
Metoprolol increased airway obstruction, worsening the patient's asthma, but improved the cardiac rhythm disorder.
Anti-asthma agent that acts in part by activating pulmonary beta-receptors thus increasing cAMP
ipratropium
terbutaline
cromolyn
methoxamine
An asthmatic is prescribed an adrenergic agent. After administration, the drug makes the patient tachycardiac and nervous. This drug was probably:
albuterol
isoproterenol
terbutaline
A & C
V/Q (ventilation/perfusion) mismatching which occurs in severe asthma results in hypoxemia. Terbutaline inhalation inproves the V/Q ratio. Why?
Increased cardiac output increases pulmonary artery perfusion pressure in the lung
Pulmonary vasodilation improves V/Q mismatching
Bronchiolar relaxation improves ventilation.
Actually, it is the use of supplimental oxygen that is more important than terbutaline.
Correct drug:property combination
theophylline: hepatic oxidation and demethylation
albuterol: beta2 adrenergic blocker
ipratropium bromide: well-absorbed quaternary anticholinergic; associated with dry mouth
Beclomethasone: enhances release of chemical mediators of bronchospasm which diminishes effectiveness of beta-2 adrenergic agonists.
Corticosteroids and the treatment of asthma:
Corticosteroids relax smooth muscle
Corticosteroids inhibit the inflammatory response.
Corticosteroids reduce patient responsiveness to beta agonists
In acute asthma, corticosteroids increase airway obstruction; therefore corticosteroids should only be used for chronic treatment.
Phosphodiesterase-inhibitor used in asthma therapy:
ipratropium bromide
aminophylline
metaproterenol
cyclosporine
Prophylactic antiasthmatic drug probably acts by preventing release of bronchoconstrictive mediators from mast cells: