Asthma part 1 FNP study guide

A 22-year-old patient has asthma symptoms once every 2 weeks with no nighttime awakenings. According to GINA 2025, what is the preferred treatment?

PRN low-dose ICS-formoterol

A patient uses their rescue inhaler less than twice per month and has no exacerbation risk. According to GINA 2025, what step of asthma treatment are they on?

Step 1

A patient has asthma symptoms more than twice per month but not daily. According to GINA 2025, what is the preferred treatment?

Daily or PRN low-dose ICS-formoterol

A patient has asthma symptoms most days of the week and nighttime awakenings more than once per week. What GINA treatment step is appropriate?

Step 3

A patient has daily asthma symptoms, frequent nighttime awakenings, and limited activity. What GINA treatment step is appropriate?

Step 4

A patient has severe uncontrolled asthma despite Step 4 therapy. What GINA treatment step is appropriate?

Step 5

A patient has asthma symptoms fewer than twice per week. What severity classification is this?

Intermittent Asthma

A patient has asthma symptoms 3 to 5 days per week with normal lung function. What severity classification is this?

Mild Persistent Asthma

A patient has asthma symptoms most days with nighttime awakenings at least once per month. What severity classification is this?

Moderate Persistent Asthma

A patient has daily symptoms with nighttime awakenings at least once per week and recent exacerbations. What severity classification is this?

Severe Persistent Asthma

A patient asks what test confirms reversible airflow obstruction in asthma. What is the answer?

Spirometry

A patient's spirometry shows an FEV1 improvement greater than 12% after bronchodilator use. What does this support?

Asthma diagnosis

A patient cannot perform spirometry today. What should the provider do?

Rule out other diagnoses, treat empirically if appropriate, and reevaluate in 1–3 months

What is the preferred rescue medication according to GINA 2025?

ICS-formoterol

According to GINA 2025, should SABA-only treatment be used?

No

What medication combination serves as both the controller and reliever in GINA Track 1?

ICS-formoterol

Which asthma treatment track is preferred by GINA 2025?

Track 1

What is the preferred reliever medication in GINA Track 1?

ICS-formoterol

What medication is the rescue inhaler in GINA Track 2?

SABA (Albuterol)

Which asthma treatment track has a higher risk of exacerbations?

Track 2

A patient prefers traditional asthma therapy with ICS plus SABA. Which GINA track are they following?

Track 2

A patient with uncontrolled asthma despite medium-dose ICS-formoterol asks what medication may be added at Step 5. What is the answer?

LAMA or Biologic Therapy

Which inhaler class may be added at Step 5 before starting biologic therapy?

LAMA

Name one LAMA commonly used in asthma.

Tiotropium (Spiriva)

Name one biologic used for severe asthma.

Dupilumab (Dupixent)

A patient asks what MART means. What is the answer?

Maintenance and Reliever Therapy using ICS-formoterol

At which GINA steps is MART commonly used?

Steps 3 and 4

Which inhaler combination is used for MART?

ICS-formoterol

What is the goal of GINA asthma treatment?

Reduce symptoms and prevent exacerbations

What are the two major goals of asthma management?

Symptom control and reduction of future exacerbation risk

What are the two factors GINA 2025 uses to guide treatment?

Symptom control and future exacerbation risk

GINA 2025 no longer classifies asthma by what system?

Mild, Moderate, and Severe classifications

GINA 2025 instead emphasizes what approach?

Control-based treatment

A patient has well-controlled asthma. What are the characteristics?

Symptoms fewer than twice per week, no activity limitations, and no exacerbations

A patient has symptoms more than twice per week with increased rescue inhaler use. How is their asthma classified?

Partly Controlled Asthma

A patient has frequent symptoms, frequent rescue inhaler use, and repeated exacerbations. How is their asthma classified?

Uncontrolled Asthma

Which inhaled medication class reduces airway inflammation?

Inhaled Corticosteroids (ICS)

Which medication class provides rapid bronchodilation?

SABA

Name one SABA medication.

Albuterol

Name one ICS-formoterol combination inhaler commonly used for MART.

Budesonide/Formoterol (Symbicort)

A patient with intermittent asthma asks why they should receive ICS-formoterol instead of albuterol alone. What is the best explanation?

It treats both bronchoconstriction and airway inflammation while reducing exacerbation risk.

At what asthma treatment step should referral to a specialist be considered?

Step 4 or higher

Which medication combination is recommended by NAEPP Step 5?

Medium/High-dose ICS/LABA plus LAMA

Which medication combination is recommended by NAEPP Step 6?

High-dose ICS/LABA plus oral corticosteroids with PRN SABA

What pulmonary function finding supports asthma?

Reversible airflow obstruction after bronchodilator use

A patient has reversible airway obstruction on spirometry. Which pulmonary disease is most likely?

Asthma

Which asthma medication should every patient know how to use correctly?

Their controller inhaler and rescue inhaler

What is the most important patient education point for inhaled corticosteroids?

Rinse the mouth after each use to prevent oral candidiasis

Which asthma medication should NOT be used alone according to GINA 2025?

SABA alone

What is the preferred controller medication throughout the GINA treatment steps?

ICS-formoterol

What are the two treatment tracks in GINA 2025?

Track 1 (Preferred: ICS-formoterol) and Track 2 (Alternative: ICS + SABA)