Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State

University— South La Union Campus

Agoo, La Union
College of Community Health and Allied Medical Sciences

Journal
on
Asthma
(Naguilian District Hospital)

Maria Francesca E. Adube

Submitted By
Mrs. Julie L. Lagao

Submitted To
 Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State
University— South La Union Campus
Agoo, La Union
College of Community Health and Allied Medical Sciences

Journal
With Reaction
Paper
(Naguilian District Hospital)

Maria Francesca E. Adube

Submitted By
Mrs. Julie L. Lagao

Submitted To
 They say that nothing beats experience, as my professor would say, as the
perfect learning tool. For some students, on-the-job training gives them a taste of the
real world–a glimpse of what lies ahead after they graduate.

It was Monday, April at it’s 22nd day when I had my first duty at Naguilian District
Hospital. I am anxious because it’s my first day of OJT. Tension runs after the
orientation made by our Clinical Instructor, Mrs. Julie L. Lagao, thought she was that
totally strict but not much but a kind and approachable person. We had our tour at the
Hospital and assigned each of us at every area, I was assigned at Female Ward with
Gabrielle Audrey G. Ancheta. Since it is our first day smooth works were given like
taking vital signs, having rounds in different areas and giving patients needs.

Since I was assigned at the Female Ward, I had this patient named Panit, 70
years old of age and a resident of New Point, Burgos, La Union. I was surprised when
she said that she was from Burgos so I asked her why she wanted to confine at
Naguilian District Hospital , she answered that they had no hospital in there town and
Naguilian District Hospital is the nearest. Patient Panit is suffering Asthma.

Panit is a non-smoker and a non-alcoholic housewife. She has had asthma

since childhood. Her siblings and children were found to have family history of asthma
as well. The patient has been taking inhaled salbutamol 200µg 1 puff when required as
reliever. She has also Dextrose. Dextrose is the name of a simple sugar that is made
from corn and is chemically identical to glucose, or blood sugar. Because dextrose is a
“simple” sugar, the body can quickly use it for energy. Besides that, Patient Panit also
has medical history of hypertension. For the past few years, Patient Panit has been
taking rosuvastatin 20mg at night, fenofibrate 160mg and gliclazide 60mg and losartan
50mg OD for hypertension.

Asthma is long-term or Chronic Lung Disease, it is an irritation and swelling in

the airways that carry air in and out of your lungs. Swelling makes the airways narrow,
so it’s hard for someone to breathe. The airways make more mucus than normal, which
also makes breathing harder. Asthma is sometimes thought of as a "childhood disease,"
but it is often diagnosed as a new condition in older people. For other people, it may be
a problem that started early in life and continued into their senior years.

I asked patient Panit what she feel or experiencing when her asthma attacks,
she answered that she feels that her chest tightens and she has trouble breathing. And
yes, the signs and symptoms of asthma are :

1. Chest tightness or pain.

2. Trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing.
3. Feeling very tired or weak when exercising.
4. Feeling tired, easily upset, grouchy, or moody.
5. Decreases or changes in lung function as measured on a peak flow meter.

At the end of the day of our first duty , as I went to the Female Ward and say
goodbye to my patient Panit , I left her some tips or some health teachings what to
do when her asthma attacks and after she discharged . This are the following :

1. Elevate the head.

2. Get vaccinated for influenza and pneumonia.
3. Wear a mask when travelling or when you are in a crowded place.
4. Distance yourself from smokers.
5. Take your medications as prescribed.
6. When asthma attacks , take long, deep breaths. This helps to slow down your
breathing and prevent hyperventilation.

I am happy to finish my first day of duty at Naguilian District Hospital, the

patients and their family members are kind and it was not really a tiring day but a
great experience in taking care of patients. A philosopher once said that “Good
actions give strengths to ourselves and inspire good actions in others” – Plato.