Respiratory Clinical Simulation

• What is the triad of asthma?

  Airway oedema

  Bronchospasm

  Excess mucous production
• What is the difference between type 1 & 2 respiratory failure on an ABG?

  Type 1 = low PaO2 & normal/low PaCO2

  Type 2 = low PaO2 & high PaCO2
• What is ipatropium bromide?

  SAMA

  Short-acting muscarinic antagonist
• What does tachypnoea do to PaCO2?

  Decreases
• If someome is having an acute asthma attack & their PaCO2 is NORMAL on an ABG, this is a worrying sign as they are normally tachypneic, so their PaCO2 should be LOW.
• What might cause a pt with an asthma exacerbation to become drowsy?

  Hypercapnia
• What medication is given AFTER an acute asthma exacerbation?

  Oral prednisolone (5 day course)
• What is the acute management of asthma?

  O2 (15L non-rebreath mask) - prevent hypoxia

  Salbutamol (nebuliser) - open up airways

  Steroids - reduced inflammatory responses

  Assess the severity & escalate early
• What is the long-term management of asthma?

  Health & lifestyle advice

  • smoking cessation
  • trigger avoidance
  • PEFR diary
  • vaccinations
  • regular asthma reviews

  Inhalers (preventer (ICS) & reliever (SABA)) + extra if required