Asthma and COPD

Introduction

This WebQuest is designed to test basic knowledge of Respiratory Therapy or Nursing students in the signs and symptoms of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as well as medications and methods for the control of these respiratory illnesses.

Task

Process

Answer the following questions and use your responses to construct a short paper highlighting what you have learned. Use the questions as a guide for what to include in your paper.

Are these statements true or false?

1) Asthma is an acute lung disease

2) An asthma attack may be induced by allergens

3) Shortness of breath and coughing are symptoms of both asthma and COPD

4) The treatment for COPD is the same as the treatment for asthma

5) Individuals who have COPD are at an increased risk of heart disease

Please select the best answer for each of the following questions:

1) A common lung sound heard during an exacerbation of asthma is:

  1. coarse crackles
  2. stridor
  3. vesicular
  4. wheezes

2) A productive cough in the morning is a sign of:

  1. asthma
  2. COPD
  3. both
  4. neither

3) There is a cure for:

  1. COPD
  2. asthma
  3. both
  4. neither

4) Risk factors for COPD are:

  1. genetics
  2. smoking
  3. age
  4. all of the above

5) The two components of a combination inhaler are:

  1. short acting beta agonist and inhaled corticosteroid
  2. short acting beta agonist and long acting beta agonist
  3. long acting beta agonist and inhaled corticosteroid
  4. short acting beta agonist and antibiotic

Please respond to the following questions in 2-5 sentences each.

1) What are the two primary components of COPD? Briefly describe each of these components.

2) List three differences between asthma and COPD.

3) Describe the primary prevention method for COPD.

4) Describe the treatment process for asthma based on the chart provided on the task page.

5) Describe the treatment process for COPD based on the chart provided on the task page.

Evaluation

Students will be evaluated based upon the following rubric:

1

Okay

2

Good

3

Excellent
Overview of Asthma/COPD briefly defines asthma and COPD briefly defines asthma and COPD along with detail regarding signs and symptoms defines asthma and COPD in depth, including signs, symptoms and potential risk factors
Treatment and Prevention provides some details regarding treatment and prevention of asthma and COPD provides sufficient amount of detail regarding treatment and prevention of asthma and COPD provides in depth information regarding treatment and prevention of asthma and COPD
Spelling/Grammar many spelling and grammatical errors a few spelling and grammatical errors no spelling or grammartical errors

Conclusion

By the end of this assignment, you should have a good overview of the definitions of asthma and COPD, as well as their signs and symptoms and associated risk factors. You should be able to briefly describe the treatment options for both lung conditions and identify the differences in the disease processes and their treatments.

Credits

American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology

Mayo Clinic

National Institutes of Health: National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute