Asthma: Definition, Risk Factors, Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Management

Question 1

Which of the following is a critical indicator of severe asthma exacerbation?

Accepted Answer

PEFR less than 50% of personal best

Answer

Pulse oximetry reading above 96%

Answer

Heart rate below 100 bpm

Answer

Absence of wheezing

Question 2

In the pathophysiology of asthma, which type of immune response is primarily involved?

Accepted Answer

Type I hypersensitivity

Answer

Type II hypersensitivity

Answer

Type III hypersensitivity

Answer

Type IV hypersensitivity

Question 3

Which symptom is most indicative of an asthma exacerbation?

Accepted Answer

Wheezing

Answer

Chest pain

Answer

Cough

Answer

Fever

Question 4

Which diagnostic test is considered the gold standard for confirming an asthma diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Spirometry

Answer

Chest X-ray

Answer

Bronchoscopy

Answer

Skin prick test

Question 5

Which of the following medications is a recommended first-line inhaled controller for persistent asthma?

Accepted Answer

Fluticasone

Answer

Salmeterol

Answer

Montelukast

Answer

Albuterol

Question 6

What is the name of the device commonly used to administer inhaled medications for asthma?

Accepted Answer

Inhaler

Answer

Nebulizer

Answer

Peak flow meter

Answer

Spirometer

Question 7

Which of the following is not typically a characteristic of an asthma attack?

Accepted Answer

Fever

Answer

Sudden onset

Answer

Difficulty breathing

Answer

Chest tightness

Question 8

In the pathophysiology of asthma, which cell type is primarily responsible for airway inflammation?

Accepted Answer

Eosinophils

Answer

Neutrophils

Answer

Mast cells

Answer

Macrophages

Question 9

Inhaled corticosteroids are widely used in asthma management. What is their primary mechanism of action?

Accepted Answer

Reducing airway inflammation

Answer

Causing bronchodilation

Answer

Inhibiting mast cell degranulation

Answer

Enhancing mucociliary clearance

Question 10

For a patient with mild intermittent asthma, the recommended initial treatment is:

Accepted Answer

Inhaled short-acting beta-agonists as needed

Answer

Daily inhaled corticosteroid

Answer

Oral leukotriene modifier

Answer

Combination of inhaled corticosteroid and long-acting beta-agonist

Question 11

True or False: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease characterized by irreversible airflow obstruction.

Accepted Answer

False

Answer

True

Question 12

What is the main reason for using peak flow meters in asthma management?

Accepted Answer

To track changes in airflow and predict the risk of an upcoming asthma attack.

Answer

To provide a complete evaluation of lung function.

Answer

To confirm an asthma diagnosis and rule out other breathing problems.

Question 13

In asthma, which inflammatory cell type predominates?

Accepted Answer

Eosinophils

Answer

Neutrophils

Answer

Macrophages

Answer

Lymphocytes

Question 14

In acute asthma exacerbations, what is the initial medication of choice?

Accepted Answer

Inhaled beta-agonist

Answer

Oral steroids

Answer

Leukotriene modifier

Answer

Anticholinergic

Question 15

Which of the following best describes the essential elements of an asthma action plan and their role in effective asthma management?

Accepted Answer

Regular symptom monitoring, personalized medication regimens, and thorough patient education.

Answer

Emergency contact information, medication list, and instructions for handling severe asthma attacks.

Answer

Clinic visit schedule, laboratory testing plan, and referrals to specialists.

Question 16

Which of the following triggers is most frequent among asthmatic children?

Accepted Answer

Dust mites

Answer

Pollen

Answer

Animal dander

Answer

Exercise

Question 17

Confirming an asthma diagnosis primarily involves

Accepted Answer

Spirometry

Answer

Chest X-ray

Answer

Blood test

Answer

Skin prick test

Question 18

Which medication listed below is classified as a long-acting beta-agonist (LABA)?

Accepted Answer

Salmeterol

Answer

Albuterol

Answer

Montelukast

Answer

Fluticasone

Question 19

Which of the following is considered a potential protective factor against developing asthma?

Accepted Answer

Living in a rural area

Answer

Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke

Answer

Having a family history of asthma or allergies

Answer

Having frequent respiratory infections

Question 20

Which of the following is a key pathophysiological feature of asthma characterized by increased resistance to airflow in the airways?

Accepted Answer

Increased airway resistance

Answer

Decreased mucus production

Answer

Altered immune response

Answer

Reduced lung compliance

Question 21

What is the characteristic airway finding in acute asthma most commonly observed on a chest X-ray?

Accepted Answer

Hyperinflation

Answer

Atelectasis

Answer

Widespread infiltrates

Answer

Pleural effusion

Question 22

What is the overarching goal in managing asthma, as recommended by international guidelines?

Accepted Answer

Prevention of asthma attacks

Answer

Complete elimination of symptoms

Answer

Improvement of lung function

Answer

Reduction of hospitalizations

Question 23

Which of the following inhaled medications belongs to the class of long-acting beta-agonists (LABA)?

Accepted Answer

Salmeterol

Answer

Albuterol

Answer

Beclomethasone

Answer

Fluticasone

Question 24

What is the most common presenting symptom of exercise-induced asthma?

Accepted Answer

Wheezing

Answer

Chest pain

Answer

Cough

Answer

Fatigue

Question 25

Which of the following is a potential life-threatening complication of severe asthma that requires immediate medical attention?

Accepted Answer

Respiratory failure

Answer

Pneumothorax

Answer

Pneumonia

Answer

Cardiac arrhythmias

Question 26

For a patient experiencing an acute asthma exacerbation, what is the recommended initial treatment to rapidly relieve bronchospasm?

Accepted Answer

Inhaled short-acting beta-agonists

Answer

Oral steroids

Answer

Intravenous fluids

Answer

Oxygen therapy

Question 27

Which of the following inflammatory cells is primarily responsible for the airway inflammation in asthma?

Accepted Answer

Eosinophils

Answer

Neutrophils

Answer

Lymphocytes

Answer

Macrophages

Question 28

In the long-term management of mild persistent asthma, which of the following is considered a first-line medication?

Accepted Answer

Inhaled corticosteroids

Answer

Long-acting beta-agonists

Answer

Leukotriene modifiers

Answer

Oral steroids

Question 29

Which pulmonary function test is specifically designed to measure airflow limitation?

Accepted Answer

Spirometry

Answer

Peak flow monitoring

Answer

Arterial blood gas analysis

Answer

Chest X-ray

Question 30

Which of the following is NOT a recognized risk factor for developing asthma?

Accepted Answer

Regular exercise

Answer

Family history of asthma

Answer

Exposure to secondhand smoke

Answer

Exposure to indoor allergens

Question 31

The central pathophysiological mechanism underlying asthma is:

Accepted Answer

Increased production of inflammatory mediators

Answer

Impairment of ciliary function

Answer

Bronchospasm

Answer

Increased airway resistance

Question 32

A characteristic symptom commonly associated with asthma is:

Accepted Answer

Wheezing

Answer

Chest pain

Answer

Persistent cough

Answer

Fever

Question 33

The most widely used diagnostic test for confirming an asthma diagnosis is:

Accepted Answer

Spirometry

Answer

Chest X-ray

Answer

Skin prick test

Answer

Allergy blood test

Question 34

In the treatment of mild persistent asthma, which medication class is considered first-line?

Accepted Answer

Inhaled corticosteroids

Answer

Long-acting beta-agonists

Answer

Leukotriene modifiers

Answer

Oral steroids

Question 35

The overarching goal of asthma management is to:

Accepted Answer

Prevent exacerbations

Answer

Eliminate all symptoms

Answer

Improve lung function

Answer

Prevent airway remodeling

Question 36

What is the primary step in managing an acute asthma exacerbation?

Accepted Answer

Administering inhaled beta-agonists

Answer

Administering oral corticosteroids

Answer

Providing supplemental oxygen

Answer

Intubation

Question 37

Describe the key features of airway remodeling in asthma and explain its implications for disease progression.

Accepted Answer

Airway remodeling in asthma involves thickening of the airway walls due to increased smooth muscle mass and collagen deposition.

Answer

Airway remodeling in asthma is a reversible process that does not impact disease progression.

Answer

Airway remodeling in asthma primarily involves increased airway responsiveness to allergens and irritants.

Answer

Airway remodeling in asthma leads to decreased airway inflammation and mucus production.

Question 38

Which cell type is primarily involved in the inflammatory response in asthma?

Accepted Answer

Eosinophils

Answer

Neutrophils

Answer

Mast cells

Answer

Lymphocytes

Question 39

A patient presents with recurrent episodes of wheezing, cough, and chest tightness. Which physical examination finding is most indicative of asthma?

Accepted Answer

Wheezes

Answer

Prolonged expiration

Answer

Basilar crackles

Answer

Hyperresonant chest

Question 40

Which test is considered the most reliable for diagnosing asthma?

Accepted Answer

Spirometry

Answer

Chest X-ray

Answer

Allergy skin test

Answer

Bronchial provocation test

Question 41

Which medication is the first-line treatment for mild persistent asthma?

Accepted Answer

Inhaled corticosteroid

Answer

Long-acting beta-agonist

Answer

Short-acting beta-agonist

Answer

Leukotriene modifier

Question 42

Which of the following is NOT a goal of asthma management?

Accepted Answer

Complete cure of the disease

Answer

Symptom control

Answer

Prevention of exacerbations

Answer

Maintenance of normal lung function

Question 43

Which of these complications can be life-threatening in asthma?

Accepted Answer

Collapsed lung

Answer

High blood pressure

Answer

Heart attack

Question 44

What is the primary goal of managing asthma?

Accepted Answer

Prevent asthma attacks

Answer

Achieve complete recovery

Answer

Reverse airway changes

Answer

Increase lung capacity

Question 45

In asthma, which immunoglobulin is primarily responsible for mediating the allergic response?

Accepted Answer

Immunoglobulin E (IgE)

Answer

Immunoglobulin G (IgG)

Answer

Immunoglobulin M (IgM)

Answer

Immunoglobulin A (IgA)

Question 46

Which symptom is a hallmark characteristic of asthma?

Accepted Answer

Recurrent episodes of wheezing

Answer

Persistent cough

Answer

High fever

Answer

Chest pain

Question 47

Which diagnostic test is considered the gold standard for confirming asthma?

Accepted Answer

Spirometry

Answer

Chest X-ray

Answer

Complete blood count

Answer

Allergy skin prick test

Question 48

For patients with mild persistent asthma, which medication class is typically recommended as initial therapy?

Accepted Answer

Inhaled corticosteroids

Answer

Leukotriene modifiers

Answer

Long-acting beta-agonists

Answer

Oral corticosteroids

Question 49

Which of the following is a potential serious complication of uncontrolled asthma?

Accepted Answer

Pneumonia

Answer

Seizures

Answer

Eczema

Answer

Myocardial infarction

Question 50

A 25-year-old woman presents with recurrent episodes of wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness, particularly at night. She also reports a family history of asthma. Which of the following best describes the underlying pathophysiology of her condition?

Accepted Answer

Airway inflammation and bronchospasm

Answer

Increased lung compliance

Answer

Decreased airway resistance

Answer

Alveolar collapse

Question 51

A 30-year-old man with a history of asthma presents to the emergency room with severe wheezing and dyspnea. His peak expiratory flow rate is 40% of predicted. What is the most appropriate initial management strategy?

Accepted Answer

Oxygen therapy and inhaled bronchodilators

Answer

Intravenous antibiotics

Answer

Mechanical ventilation

Answer

Intravenous corticosteroids

Question 52

A 10-year-old boy presents with recurrent episodes of nocturnal cough, wheezing, and shortness of breath. He is diagnosed with asthma. Which of the following risk factors is most strongly associated with the development of asthma in children?

Accepted Answer

Atopic dermatitis

Answer

Gastroesophageal reflux disease

Answer

Obesity

Answer

Iron deficiency anemia

Question 53

A 20-year-old college student with asthma experiences worsening symptoms despite using her prescribed inhaler. She reports a recent history of an upper respiratory tract infection. What is the most likely explanation for her symptom deterioration?

Accepted Answer

Viral-induced bronchospasm

Answer

Increased airway compliance

Answer

Decreased airway resistance

Answer

Alveolar collapse

Question 54

A 35-year-old woman with asthma has persistent symptoms despite her medication regimen. Her spirometry results show a significant decrease in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and a reduction in forced vital capacity (FVC). Which of the following is the most likely explanation for these findings?

Accepted Answer

Airway obstruction

Answer

Increased lung compliance

Answer

Alveolar collapse

Answer

Decreased airway resistance

Question 55

A 5-year-old boy with asthma is being evaluated for his medication regimen. His parents are concerned about the potential side effects of inhaled corticosteroids. What is the most appropriate response regarding the safety and efficacy of inhaled corticosteroids in children with asthma?

Accepted Answer

Inhaled corticosteroids are generally safe and effective for treating asthma in children, and potential side effects are minimal with proper use.

Answer

Inhaled corticosteroids are not safe for children and should be avoided.

Question 56

A 22-year-old woman with asthma seeks advice on managing her condition. She is an avid runner. What is the most appropriate recommendation for managing asthma during exercise?

Accepted Answer

Ensure adequate warm-up and cool-down periods before and after exercise and use a short-acting beta2-agonist as needed.

Answer

Avoid all forms of exercise to prevent triggering asthma symptoms.