AE-C key terms

A lung function test in which a person blows forcefully into a device that measures how much and how quickly air leaves the lungs; used to confirm airflow obstruction and to see whether it improves after a bronchodilator.

The volume of air a person can force out in the first second of a maximal exhalation. It is the number most often used to grade asthma severity and to track response to treatment over time.

The share of a person's total forced vital capacity that is exhaled in the first second. A reduced ratio points to airflow obstruction and helps separate asthma from restrictive lung disease.

A meaningful rise in FEV1 after inhaling a short-acting bronchodilator, conventionally 12 percent and 200 mL or more. It supports a diagnosis of asthma by showing that obstruction is at least partly reversible.

The fastest speed at which air can be forced out of the lungs, measured with a small portable meter. It gives a rough, effort-dependent picture of airway caliber for daily monitoring and action-plan zones.

The highest peak flow value a patient reaches during roughly two weeks of good asthma control. It becomes the reference number for calculating green, yellow, and red action-plan zones.

The amount of nitric oxide in exhaled breath, a noninvasive marker of eosinophilic airway inflammation. It can support asthma diagnosis and help show whether inhaled corticosteroid therapy is working.

A short validated questionnaire scoring symptoms, reliever inhaler use, and activity limitation over the past four weeks. A total score of 19 or below suggests asthma that is not well controlled.

How intense the underlying disease is, judged retrospectively from the amount of treatment needed to keep it controlled. It is grouped as intermittent or as mild, moderate, or severe persistent asthma.

How well symptoms, nighttime waking, reliever use, activity limitation, and lung function are minimized at the current level of treatment. It is assessed at every visit and drives treatment changes.

An acute or gradual worsening of symptoms and airflow that requires a change in treatment, such as extra reliever use, oral corticosteroids, urgent care, or hospitalization.

A counseling technique in which the patient explains or demonstrates back in their own words what was just taught, letting the educator confirm understanding and correct misunderstandings right away.

A person's ability to obtain, understand, and act on health information. Low health literacy calls for plain language, pictures, and checking understanding rather than assuming reading ability.

A collaborative, goal-directed conversation style that helps patients discover their own reasons for change, using open questions, reflective listening, and affirmation instead of advice-giving or confrontation.

A process in which patient and clinician exchange information about options, benefits, and preferences, then agree together on a plan that fits the person's goals and daily life.

The extent to which a person takes medicines and follows the agreed plan. It should be assessed nonjudgmentally, because poor adherence often stems from cost, side effects, forgetfulness, or technique problems.

Structured teaching that gives patients the knowledge and skills to monitor asthma, use devices correctly, avoid triggers, and act on worsening symptoms, ideally reinforced at every contact.

Any exposure or condition that provokes airway narrowing or symptoms in a susceptible person, such as allergens, irritants, respiratory infections, exercise, cold air, or strong emotions.

Practical steps to reduce exposure to substances a patient is sensitized to, such as animal dander, dust mites, or cockroach debris, in order to lower inflammation and symptoms.

Washing bedding weekly in hot water and enclosing the mattress, box spring, and pillows in allergen-impermeable covers to reduce dust mite exposure in the bedroom.

Secondhand smoke and aerosol from cigarettes, cigars, or vaping devices. Exposure worsens control and increases exacerbations, so counseling and smoke-free home rules matter.

A daily government-reported scale of outdoor pollution levels. Patients can use it to plan outdoor activity and limit exertion on days when air quality is unhealthy.

Fixing leaks, ventilating bathrooms and kitchens, and removing visible mold to reduce dampness-related exposures that can aggravate asthma.

An inhaled anti-inflammatory controller medicine and the preferred long-term treatment for persistent asthma. It reduces airway inflammation, symptoms, and exacerbations and must be taken daily to work.

An inhaled bronchodilator that relieves acute symptoms within minutes by relaxing airway muscle. Frequent or increasing use signals poor control and a need to adjust controller therapy.

A bronchodilator that keeps airways open for roughly twelve hours. In asthma it is used only in combination with an inhaled corticosteroid, never as monotherapy, because of safety concerns.

An oral controller medicine, such as montelukast, that blocks leukotriene-driven inflammation and bronchoconstriction. It is less effective than inhaled corticosteroids and requires monitoring for mood-related side effects.

A tube attached to a metered-dose inhaler that holds the aerosol so the patient can breathe it in slowly. It improves lung delivery and reduces medicine deposited in the mouth and throat.

A pressurized canister device that delivers a measured puff of medicine with a propellant. It requires coordination of actuation and inhalation, or use with a holding chamber.

A device that delivers medicine as a fine powder the patient must inhale forcefully. It uses no propellant, must be kept dry, and should not be used with a spacer.

A treatment framework in which medicines are increased when asthma is not controlled and reduced once control is sustained, always aiming for the lowest effective dose.

A short course of systemic corticosteroid, often about five days, given for a moderate or severe exacerbation to reduce inflammation. It is not a maintenance controller therapy.

Deliberate sharing of information and responsibility among clinicians, schools, pharmacies, and payers so the patient receives consistent, nonduplicated asthma care across settings.

Consultation with an allergist or pulmonologist for asthma that is hard to control or unclear in diagnosis, for frequent exacerbations, or when advanced testing or biologic therapy is being considered.

A written document given to school staff describing the student's medicines, triggers, and emergency steps, often paired with formal accommodations for self-carrying and quick inhaler access.

A personalized document listing daily medicines, how to recognize worsening, exactly what to do in each symptom zone, and when to seek urgent help.

A three-color traffic-light framework used in action plans: green when doing well, yellow for caution with extra treatment steps, and red for severe symptoms needing urgent medical care.

The planned timing of repeat visits after starting or changing treatment, commonly every two to six weeks until control is reached, then every one to six months.