wheeze whodunit
Gas exchange
100
During history and physical, which symptom patter suggest asthma, and which family and exposure questions strengthen the assessment?
Look for variable wheeze, cough, dyspnea, chest tightness, often worse at night or with triggers. Ask about family history, exposure to allergens, smoke, vaping, infections, exercise, medications, and workplace irritants
LO1
100
Tidal volume is 500mL, dead space is 150mL, and respiratory rate is 20 per minute. Calculate minute ventilation and alveolar ventilation.
Minute ventilation (Vt X RR) = 10L/min
Alveolar ventilation (Vt-VD) x RR = 7L/min
200
How do peak expiratory flow and spirometry document variable airflow limitations, and what happen to FEV1/FVC during obstruction and what would support an asthma diagnosis?
PEF tracks variability and response over time. Spirometry measures FEV1 and FVC. An obstruction lowers FEV1/FVC, and improvement after bronchodilator supports asthma
LO4
300
What does an obstructive flow loop look like (draw it), and why do prolonged expiration, accessory muscle use, or a silent chest change urgency?
The expiratory limb becomes concave with reduced peak flow. Prolonged expiration and accessory muscle use indicate high resistance and effort. A silent chest indicates critically low airflow and possible respiratory failure.
LO4, 5
400
Connect the pathway from initial epithelial injury down to airway remodeling
triggers activate injured epithelium and inflammatory signaling, mast cell mediators cause bronchoconstriction, type 2 cytokines recruit eosinophils, while smooth muscle contraction, edema, and mucus plugging narrow airways unevenly, repeated insults lead to airway remodeling
LO1,5,10
500
Compare asthma, with chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and restrictive lung disease using history, physiology, and pulmonary function tests
(draw a chart)
Asthma has variable, often reversible obstruction. Chronic bronchitis has chronic productive cough and mucus. Emphysema causes alveolar destruction, hyperinflation, and reduced DLCO (diffusion capacity). Restrictive lung disease reduces total lung capacity while preserving or raising FEV1/FVC
LO12