About this program

Go Over the Chief Complaint
Review His Past Medical History
Review His Current Medications
Review His Social History
Take a Family History
Do a Physical Exam
Order Laboratory Exams
Make a Diagnosis and Prescribe Medications to Treat This Patient!
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Go over the NAEP guidelines on asthma diagnosis and treatment
Review Asthma Medications
Review Spirometry and Sample Cases
Links to Other Asthma Pages

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Diagnosis and Management of Asthma

Case 1.

Sarah is a 20 year old swimmer who comes in complaining of several months wheezing and chest tightness shortly after starting exercising. She notes this usually resolves after half an hour. Sarah had a history of asthma as a child but says that she only has wheezing when not exercising 1 or 2 evenings a month. History and physical exam are otherwise unremarkable. Spirometry shows an FEV1 of 95%.

Question 1.

The correct diagnosis is:

  1. Severe Persistent Asthma
  2. Moderate Persistent Asthma
  3. Mild Persistent Asthma
  4. Exercise Induced Bronchospasm

The history of wheezing shortly after initiation of exercise is consistent with a diagnosis of exercise induced bronchospasm (EIB). Although EIB can occur in patients with persistent asthma, this patient's history and spirometry results are not consistent with such a diagnosis.

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