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Teaching Curriculum: Asthma

Priorities:
Pediatrics 1, Internal Medicine 1,
Family Practice 1, Student 1

OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this rotation, the allergy rotator should be able to:

  1. Define asthma
  2. Define the meanings of the terms:
    1. wheezing
    2. rhonchus
    3. crackles (rales)
    4. stridor
  3. List the three major pathologic factors responsible for airway obstruction in asthma and differentiate asthma from emphysema
  4. Explain the pathophysiology of asthma regarding the:
    1. IgE mechanisms
    2. airway remodeling
    3. genetics
  5. 5. Discuss precipitating factors including:
    1. infection
    2. irritants
    3. exercise
    4. allergens
    5. medications
    6. intrinsic factors including gastroesophageal reflux disease
  6. Describe the clinical findings typical of asthma
  7. Create a differential diagnosis of asthma
  8. Discuss the role of spirometry in the diagnosis and management of asthma. Describe the different spirometric tests of lung function and the changes produced in these tests by asthma.
  9. Describe the typical spirometric and flow volume loop findings in patients with asthma, COPD, and laryngeal obstruction
  10. Discuss etiologic evaluation of asthma by:
    1. history
    2. skin testing
  11. Explain environmental control measures.
  12. Discuss classifying asthma severity in patients based on day and night time symptoms & lung function-mild intermittent, mild persistent, moderate persistent, severe persistent.
  13. Discuss the different classes of drugs used in the medical management of asthma and their side effects and their use in step therapy based on asthma severity:
    1. epinephrine
    2. beta2 agonists
    3. theophylline (methylxanthenes)
    4. cromolyn and nedocromil
    5. steroids, inhaled and systemic
    6. atropine, ipratropium bromide
    7. leukotriene modifiers
    8. antihistamines
  14. Demonstrate proficiency in the proper use of the meter dosed inhaler, spacer devices, dry power inhalers and how to instruct patients in their use.
  15. Explain goals and precautions of immunotherapy in patients with asthma
  16. Discuss use of peak flow meters in the clinical management of asthma and develop an asthma action plan based on levels of peak flow measurements
  17. Describe a basic program of outpatient management for:
    1. an adolescent or young adult female who has asthma with a febrile viral respiratory tract infection
    2. an adolescent or young adult male with seasonal asthma each August and September
    3. a 15-year-old adolescent with exercise-induced bronchospasm
  18. Define and explain the management of status asthmaticus
  19. Discuss quality of life issues regarding patients with chronic asthma
  20. Recognize emotional/behavioral aspects of caring for patients with asthma
  21. List indications for referral to an allergy/immunologist

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