∙ASTHMA∙

By: Mary Joseph Bitgue BSN 4A

ASTHMA

– A chronic inflammatory disease of the respiratory system

resulting in airway hyper responsiveness, mucosal
edema, and mucus production. It is largely a reversible
process.
– Allergy is the strongest factor for the development of
asthma.
– According to the centers for disease control and prevention (CDC).
1 in 13 people have asthma
– More than 25 million Americans have asthma. This is 7.7 percent
of adults and 8.4 percent of children
– Asthma is more common in adult women the adult men
– African-americans in the US die from asthma at a higher rate than
people of other races
Predisposing Precipitating
Factors Factors
– Allergy – Stress
– Parent with asthma – Exercise
– Sickness
– Food and drugs
– Smoking
Pathophysiology
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

– Coughing especially at night, during exercise and when

laughing
– Difficulty of breathing
– Chest tightness
– Shortness of breath
– Wheezing
Clinical Manifestations

– Wheezing
– Cough
– Dyspnea
– Chest tightness
– Prolonged expiration
– Sit upright or slightly bend forward using the accessory muscle of respiration to try to get
enough air
– Difficulty to speak in complete sentences as the condition worsens
– Increased respiratory rate with the use of accessory muscles
– Hyperresonance on percussion of the chest
LABORATORY AND
DIAGNOSTICS
– Spirometry
A simple breathing test that measures how much and how fast you can blow air
out of your lungs. Used to determine the amount of airway obstruction you have.

– Exhaled Nitric Oxide

A gas that is produced in the lungs and has been found to be an indicator of
inflammation.
– Challenge Test
Performed if your symptoms and screening spirometry do not clearly or
convincingly establish a diagnosis of asthma.
NURSING MANAGEMENT

– Obtains a history of allergic reactions to medications before

administering medications
– Identifies medications the patient id currently taking
– Administers medications as prescribed and monitors the patient’s
responses to those medications. These medications may include
an antibiotic
– Administers fluids if the patient is dehydrated
MEDICAL MANAGEMENT

– Immediate intervention may be necessary, because continuing and

progressive dyspnea leads to increased anxiety, aggravating the
situation. The Expert Panel 3 Guidelines for the Diagnosis and
Management of Asthma are based on the concept of severity and
control of asthma along with the domains of impairment and risk
as keys to improving care. Primary concerns in the treatment of
patients are impairment of lung function and adverse effectd from
medications.
Medication/Treatment

– There are two general classes of asthma medication; quick relief

medications and long acting medications.
– Quick relief Medications: Albuterol (Proventil,Ventolin)
levalbuterol (Xopenex), and pirbuterol (Maxair).
– Long-acting control medications: Anti-inflammatory Agents such as
Corticosteroids and Bronchodilators
– Avoid foods that you are allergic
NURSING DIAGNOSIS

– Ineffective airway clearance related to excessive mucous

in the lungs

– Ineffective breathing Pattern Related to swelling and

spasm of the bronchial tubes in response to allergies

– Mild Anxiety may be related to hypoxia

Is Asthma in the elderly different? Functional and
clinical characteristics of asthma in individuals
aged 65 years and older

– Asthma in >65 is more severe and associated with

greater comorbidity, which would indicate the need for a
more integrated and multidimensional approach to
asthma treatment for these patients.( Curto et.al, 2019)