A 10-year-old boy who is having an acute asthma attack is brought to the ER. He is
observed to be sitting up and struggling to breathe. His breathing is accompanied by
use of accessory muscles, a weak cough, and audible wheezing sounds. His pulse is
rapid and weak, and both heart and breath sounds are distant on auscultation. His
parents relate that his asthma began to worsen after he developed a "cold," and now
he doesn't get relief from his albuterol inhaler.
Explain the changes in physiologic function underlying his signs and symptoms.
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, Recruitment of inflammatory cells from the bloodstream into the bronchial
wall, where they directly attack the invading organisms and secrete
inflammatory chemicals that are toxic to the organisms causes airway
inflammation. Swelling of the bronchial wall, mucus secretion, constriction
of the airway; bronchial hyper-responsiveness to stimuli causes airway
obstruction or narrowing. They may discuss on a cellular level as well:
Upon a trigger, the cascade of neutrophils, eosinophils, lymphocytes, and
mast cells cause epithelial injury. This causes airway inflammation, which
further increases hyperresponsiveness and decreased airflow. Mast cells
release histamine and leukotrienes. These cause major
bronchoconstriction, inflammation, and mucus secretion. Mast cells can
trigger multiple cytokine release, which causes more airway inflammation.
The contraction of the airways and subsequent swelling leads to further
airway obstruction.
True/False:
Asthma is considered reversible airway bronchoconstriction.
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true
Asthma exhibits each of the following characteristics except:
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hypertrophy of the submucosal glands
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