Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse Practice Exam

How is mild persistent asthma characterized in terms of daytime symptoms?

1. Occurrences no more than twice a week

2. Daily occurrence of symptoms

3. Symptoms occurring 3 to 6 days a week

4. Continual daytime symptoms

The correct answer is: Symptoms occurring 3 to 6 days a week

Mild persistent asthma is characterized by symptoms that occur 3 to 6 days a week. This aligns with the clinical guidelines that describe mild persistent asthma as having daytime symptoms that are not constant but are frequent enough to require the use of a rescue inhaler several times a week. The presence of symptoms on this frequency indicates that, while the condition is not severe, it does require management to control the symptoms and maintain the patient's quality of life. The options that suggest occurrences less than three times per week indicate mild intermittent asthma rather than mild persistent. Continual daytime symptoms would suggest a more severe form of asthma, such as moderate or severe persistent asthma, needing more comprehensive management and intervention.