Mastering the Midterm: Your Comprehensive Guide to
Conquering NR 507 Advanced Pathophysiology.
An Ultimate Guide to Exam Success with Grade A+
Score
Latest Updated 2025/2026.
Asthma - ansChronic disease due to bronchoconstriction and an excessive inflammatory
response in the bronchioles
What are 5 s/s of asthma - anscoughing
wheezing
shortness of breath
rapid breathing
chest tightness
Pathophysiology of asthma (5) - ans-airway inflammation, bronchial hyper-reactivity and
smooth muscle spasm
-excess mucus production and accumulation
-hypertrophy of bronchial smooth muscle
-airflow obstruction
-decreased alveolar ventilation
Bronchioles - anssmaller passageways that originate from the bronchi that become the alveoli
3 layers of the bronchioles - ansinnermost layer
middle layer - lamina propria
outermost layer
lamina propria - ansthe middle layer of the bronchioles
structure of the lamina propria - ansembedded with connective tissue cells and immune cells
purpose of the lamina propria - answhite blood cells are present to help protect the airways
How does the lamina propria effect the lungs in regards to asthma - ansthe WBCs protective
feature goes into overdrive causing an inflammatory response that damages host tissue
What does the innermost layer of the bronchioles contain - anscolumnar epithelial ells and
mucus producing goblet cells
What does the outermost layer of the bronchioles contain - anssmooth muscle cells
what does the outermost layer of the bronchioles do - anscontrol the airways ability to
constrict and dilate
alveolar hyperinflation - ansWhen air is unable to move out of the alveolar like it should due
to bronchial walls collapsing around possible mucus plug thus trapping air inside
how does hyperinflation occur? - ansthe ongoing inflammatory process of asthma produces
mucus and pus plug that the bronchial walls collapse around
Effect of hyperinflation of the alveolar - ans-expanded thorax and hypercapnia (retention of
CO2)
- respiratory acidosis
What are two anticholinergic drugs used for asthma - anstiotropium and ipratropium
What do anticholinergics do in the lungs? - ansThese drugs block the effects of the
parasympathetic nervous system
- increasing bronchodilation
MOA of anticholinergic drugs for asthma - ansthe parasympathetic system is stimulated by
the vagal nerve to release acetylcholine which binds to the cholinergic receptors of the
respiratory tract to cause bronchial constriction = decreased airflow
- blocking the cholinergic receptors prevents acetylcholine binding preventing the bronchial
constriction
bronchitis - ansinflammation of the bronchial tubes
