Module 7 - Asthma

Goal:

Students will gain knowledge and develop clinical skills to diagnose and treat pediatric patients with asthma in the outpatient setting.

Objectives:

Following the pediatric outpatient rotation, the student will be able to:

1. Explain two main physiologic mechanisms of asthma (bronchoconstriction and airway inflammation)
2. Name typical clinical symptoms of asthma (cough, wheeze, shortness of breath, etc.)
3. List a differential diagnosis for wheezing
4. List some triggers of asthma (ex: URI, allergies, smoke, exercise, cold air).
5. Discuss asthma classification and assessment of control based on the NHLBI guidelines
6. List common medications used to manage asthma
7. Name some asthma monitoring tools (ex: asthma control test, spirometry)

Resources:

NHLBI: Quick Reference           

Asthma Control Test

Asthma Action Plan - EPIC

Pediatric Asthma in a Nutshell – Pediatrics in Review

Wheezing – Mayo Clinic