Environmental Triggers of Asthma

How to Use This Course

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Course: WB 2490
CE Original Date: November 28, 2014
CE Renewal Date: November 28, 2016
CE Expiration Date: November 28, 2018
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Download Printer-Friendly Version pdf icon[PDF – 495 KB]

Introduction

The goal of Case Studies in Environmental Medicine (CSEM) is to increase the primary care provider’s knowledge of hazardous substances in the environment and to help in evaluation and treating of potentially exposed patients. This CSEM focuses on environmental triggers of asthma.

Availability

Two versions of the Environmental Triggers of Asthma CSEM are available.

  • The HTML version provides content through the Internet.
  • The downloadable PDF version pdf icon[495 KB] provides content in an electronic, printable format making it especially useful for those who may lack adequate Internet service.
  • The HTML version offers interactive exercises and prescriptive feedback to the user.
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Instructions

To most effectively use this course

  • Take the Initial Check to assess your current knowledge about Environmental Triggers of Asthma.
  • Read the title, learning objectives, text, and key points in each section.
  • Complete the progress check exercises at the end of each section and check your answers.
  • Complete and submit your assessment and posttest response online if you wish to obtain continuing education credit. Continuing education certificates can be printed immediately upon completion.
Instructional Format

This course is designed to help you learn efficiently. Topics are clearly labeled so that you can skip sections or quickly scan sections you are already familiar with. This labeling will also allow you to use this training material as a handy reference. To help you identify and absorb important content quickly, each section is structured as follows

Instructional Format

Section Element

Purpose
Title Serves as a “focus question” that you should be able to answer after completing the section
Learning Objectives Describes specific content addressed in each section and focuses your attention on important points
Text Provides the information you need to answer the focus question(s) and achieve the learning objectives
Key Points Highlights important issues and helps you review
Progress Check exercises Enables you to test yourself to determine whether you have mastered the learning objectives
Progress Check Answers Provide feedback to ensure you understand the content and can locate information in the text
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Learning Objectives

Upon completion of the Environmental Triggers of Asthma CSEM, you will be able to

Learning Objectives

Content Area

Objectives
Overview of Asthma
  • Define asthma Identify environmental factors that trigger asthma
Differential Diagnosis of Asthma
  • Identify five conditions that may be confused with asthma in children
  • Identify five conditions that may be confused with asthma in adults
Environmental Triggers of Asthma
  • Identify five indoor triggers of an acute asthma episode
  • Identify five outdoor triggers of an acute asthma episode
  • Describe the impact of occupational exposures on adult asthma prevalence
Clinical Assessment
  • Identify the key signs and symptoms of asthma
  • Describe questions regarding environmental asthma triggers that should be included in the standard medical history
  • Describe pulmonary function test criteria for diagnosing asthma
  • Describe questions regarding occupational exposures that should be included in the standard medical history
Treatment, Management, and Prevention
  • Describe general management goals for patients with asthma
  • Describe modifying factors that might affect how environmental triggers cause/exacerbate asthma
  • Identify at least three things you can advise patients to do to decrease exposure to allergens and irritants
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Page last reviewed: December 29, 2014
Content source: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry