Asthma Control in Adults: A Pop Quiz

1. Studies in adult patients have suggested that what percentage of those diagnosed with asthma do not have the condition?A. 10%

B. 20%

C. 30%

D. 40%

For answer and next question, click on Next, below.

Answer: C. 30%¹

2. Measurement of fractional exhaled nitric oxide can be used to confirm an equivocal asthma diagnosis and to adjust inhaled corticosteroid dosage.A. True

B. False

For answer and next question, click on Next, below.

Answer: A. True²

3. Before escalating pharmacologic therapy, it is imperative to:A. Check adherence with existing therapy

B. Check bronchodilator reliance

C. Perform a physical

D. A and B

For answer and next question, click on Next, below.

Answer: A and B¹

4. Spacers are ____  nebulizers for delivering short-acting β-agonists during moderate asthma exacerbations.A. Equally effective as

B. Less effective than

C. More effective than

D. None of the above; data in moderate exacerbations are limited.

For answer and next question, click on Next, below.

Answer: A. Equally effective as²

5. A written asthma action plan should contain:A. Medication and environmental control strategies for daily asthma management

B. Strategies for recognizing and dealing with exacerbations

C. Personalized strategies

D. Symptom or flow-based strategies

E. All of the above

For answer and next question, click on Next, below.

Answer: E. All of the above²

6. Mr Smith is 50 years old and has asthma that is not well controlled with low-dose inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). The next step in pharmacologic management is to:A. Increase the ICS to medium dose

B. Add adjunctive therapy to Mr Smith’s low-dose ICS

C. Either A or B

D. None of the above.

For answer and next question, click on Next, below.

Answer: C. Either A or B²

7. Risk factors for death from asthma include:A. Three or more emergency department visits for asthma in the past year

B. Using more than two canisters of short-acting ß-agonist per month

C. Not having a written asthma action plan

D. Having a chronic psychiatric illness

E. All of the above

For answer and next question, click on Next, below.

Answer: E. All of the above²

References:

1. Funston W, Higgins B. Improving the management of asthma in adults in primary care. Practitioner. 2014;258:15-19.

2. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Expert Panel Report 3: Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma. 2007. 

3. Pakhale S, Doucette S, Vandemheen K, et al. A comparison of obese and nonobese people with asthma: exploring an asthma-obesity interaction.Chest. 2010;137:1316-1323.