ABFM + KSA Asthma V1 (Latest Update 2025 / 20256) Questions & Answers | Grade A | 100% Correct (Verified Answers)
Question:
Adjunctive therapies generally considered to be of value in the management of severe asthma exacerbations in the adult patient include which of the following? (Mark all that are true.)
a) Intravenous aminophylline
b) Chest physical therapy
c) Mucolytic therapy
d) Aggressive hydration
e) Intravenous magnesium sulfate
Answer:
E
For patients with life-threatening asthma exacerbations, or those who remain in the severe asthma exacerbation category after 1 hour of intensive conventional therapy, adjunctive therapy with intravenous magnesium sulfate should be considered. Chest physical therapy is not generally recommended because it has not been shown to be beneficial and may be unnecessarily stressful for the dyspneic asthma patient. Mucolytic agents such as acetylcysteine and potassium iodide are not recommended because they may 1 / 4
worsen cough or airflow obstruction. Aggressive hydration is not recommended for older children and adults, but may be indicated in infants and young children because they tend to become dehydrated as a result of their increased respiratory rate and reduced oral intake. Intravenous aminophylline has not been shown to add to optimal short-acting β-agonist therapy and it increases the risk for adverse effects.
Question:
Adverse effects associated with the use of β2-agonists include which of the following? (Mark all that are true.)
a) Tremor
b) Tachycardia
c) Hypoglycemia
d) Hyperkalemia
e) A temporary reduction in arterial oxygen tension
Answer:
A, B, E
The most common side effect of β2-agonists is tremor. Common cardiac side effects are tachycardia and palpitations. Acute metabolic effects include increased plasma glucose, lactate, pyruvate, and free fatty acids. By stimulating a cell-membrane-associated potassium-sodium pump, β2- agonists increase the transport of potassium into the cells and are associated with hypokalemia. Because they produce a transient increased ventilation- perfusion mismatch, β2-agonists can cause a temporary reduction in arterial oxygen tension in patients with severe acute asthma. This reduction generally lasts less than 10 minutes and can be managed with the administration of oxygen. 2 / 4
Question:
While some facets of asthma are reversible, changes seen in chronic, uncontrolled asthma may be irreversible. Histologic features of the irreversible airway remodeling seen in patients with chronic asthma include which of the following? (Mark all that are true.)
a) Goblet cell hyperplasia
b) Subepithelial collagen deposition
c) Smooth muscle hypertrophy
d) Microvascular proliferation
Answer:
ALL OF THE ABOVE
Mast cell activation triggered by antigen-IgE crosslinking releases asthma mediators (e.g., histamine, leukotrienes, thromboxanes), causing smooth- muscle contraction, edema, and enhanced mucus secretion, and leading to airflow obstruction and the manifestations of acute asthma symptoms.Features of airway remodeling seen in patients with asthma include goblet cell hyperplasia, subepithelial fibrosis with collagen deposition, smooth- muscle hypertrophy and hyperplasia, submucosal gland enlargement, and bronchial microvascular enlargement and proliferation. The link between these structural changes (and resultant persistent airway limitation) and long-standing airway inflammation seen in asthma is still being studied; however, this is the basis for strategies calling for early intervention with anti- inflammatory therapy.
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Question:
True statements regarding exercise-induced bronchospasm include which of the following? (Mark all that are true.)
a) It is not commonly seen in patients with persistent asthma
b) It occurs during or in the minutes following vigorous physical activity
c) It usually peaks 5-10 minutes into the activity
d) It typically does not resolve until several hours after the activity
e) The differential diagnosis includes vocal cord dysfunction
Answer:
B, E
Exercise-induced bronchospasm should be anticipated in all asthma patients.Exercise as a stimulus differs from other asthma provocations (e.g., allergens, viral infections, air pollutants) in that it does not evoke any long-term sequelae, nor does it increase airway reactivity. It usually occurs during or after exercise, reaches its peak 5-10 minutes after stopping the activity, and remits spontaneously within the next 20-30 minutes. Other conditions associated with breathing difficulties during exercise, particularly vocal cord dysfunction, can be confused with exercise-induced asthma.
Question:
True statements regarding leukotriene modifiers include which of the following? (Mark all that are true.)
a) They can be used as quick-relief asthma agents
b) They are effective for managing exercise-induced asthma
c) They are contraindicated in patients with aspirin-sensitive asthma
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