Diagnostic tests

Treatment options

Asthma
(age>5)

Chest x-ray

Inhaled
corticosteroids

Reactive airway
disease (age
<5)

Arterial blood
gas
Expiratory flow
rates (spiromety)

Oxygen therapy
Environmental Factors

Allergen or irritant
exposure

Dust, mold, pet

dander, smoke, cold
air, perfumes, stress.

Physical exam
Lung function
tests
Blood tests for
IgE

Immune
activation (IL-4,
IgE production

Pneumotho
rax
Status
asthmaticu
s

Genetic Factors:
Cytokine response,
hormonal changes

Short term & long

term beta 2
agonists
Rescue inhalers
Nebulizer
Remove allergen
and irritants

Complicati
ons
Death

Mast cell
degranulation

Bronchodilators

Chemotactic mediators
Vasoactive
mediators

Vasodilation
increased capillary
permeability

3 year old with

Cellular
infiltration
(neutrophils,
lymphocytes,
eosinophils

Bronchospasm
Vascular
congestion

Clinical presentation

Autonomic
dysregulation

Runny nose, severe shob, mild

cough for last 3-4days, tight
end expiratory wheezing, RR
44, HR 130, O2 sat 93%, using
intercostal and supraclavicular
assessor muscles to breathe,
Hyperluscent and over
inflated lungs, arterial blood
gas pH of 7.25
Release of toxic
neuropeptides

Mucus secretion

Epithelial
desquamation and
fibrosis

Impaired
mucociliary
function
Thickening of
airway walls
Contractile

Bronchial hyperresponsiveness airway

obstruction

Mechanical
ventilation (resp.
acidosis with
hypercapneia)
Leukotriene
antagonists (if

Patient
education
How to use
rescue inhaler,
spacer, avoid
allergens and
triggers.
Understanding
long term relief
vs. quick relief
meds.
How to