Severe Asthma Study

Task analysis is the process of obtaining information about a job by determining the duties, tasks, and activities involved and the knowledge, skills, and abilities required in performing each task. There can be broken down into six

During the clinical experience, I was able to care for a patient with the diagnosis of adult onset asthma. J. D. was a twenty-year-old with a one-year history of mild persistent asthma. His body mass index was 30, and he was a former 1/2 pack per day smoker for one year. Also, other lifestyle factors included social alcohol drinking (1-2 drinks per/day) over the last year since he moved out on his own. He did not regularly exercise, and he admitted to not using his daily Qvar. He lives with a roommate that does smoke in the apartment. His sister was the only family member with asthma and was diagnosed in childhood. He was being treated with a low dose inhaled daily corticosteroid (Qvar 80 mcg/daily) and a short-acting

Murk, W., Risnes, K. R., & Bracken, M. B. (2011). Prenatal or early-life exposure to antibiotics and risk of childhood asthma: A systematic review. Pediatrics, 127(6), 1125-1138

Pamela was seen today following her trial of Alvesco and her stress myocardial perfusion scan. Reassuringly, the stress myocardial perfusion scan was normal showing godd ventricular function and no obvious evidence of ischemic heart disease.

As the disease progresses, remodeling of the airways occurs leading to chronic disease if left untreated (NAEPP, 2007). Symptoms of asthma often include wheezing, chest tightness, coughing, and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing (CDC 2011). The diagnosis of asthma is not only clinical but also can be supported by Pulmonary Function Test, allergy tests, and chest X-Ray. Asthma’s severity can be classified as mild, moderate or severe depending on the intensity of the presenting symptoms. Based on the severity, treatment can range from short acting beta agonist like albuterol to corticosteroids to an Emergency Room (ER) visit for uncontrolled asthma not responding to treatment. Complications related to asthma can be life threatening leading to death if left untreated. According to the CDC, asthma kills on average 9 people each day (CDC

Amy Parsons is a 16-year-old who states that she has periods when she experiences severe coughing described as dry, hacking, and non-productive. Amy reports shortness of breath and cough after swimming during summers and cough along with occasional wheezing during fall and winter months when she swims competitively. She has no known allergies, no history of surgeries or hospitalizations, and no chronic illnesses. Amy’s physical exam is unremarkable but she reports four to five colds per year. The test results for Amy’s the peak expiratory flow rates (PEF) are as follow: 290/310/320 with her predicted at 453. The following paragraphs will identify and explain the pathophysiology involved in Amy’s case.

Caleb is a 10-year-old male here today with his mother with complaints of a cold and a sore throat.

Onset: A 18-year-old female presents with a chronic diagnosis of Asthma with an acute exacerbation for two days.

Asthma is a major health concern in children under the age of 18. Not only does it have an estimated annual cost of $3.2 million, it accounts for 10 million lost school days, and it disrupts a child’s ability to participate in physical activity. A child with asthma’s exercise performance may decrease from a sedentary lifestyle and the threat of developing an exercise-induced bronchospasm. Granted, keeping asthma patients physically active has proven health benefits and allows for an improved quality of life. The article Benefits of Swim Training for Children and Adolescents with Asthma examines numerous studies that show the benefits of using swimming as a non-pharmacological method for decreasing the severity of a child’s asthma symptoms.

Asthma is a chronic condition that can be managed, but not cured. Asthmatic triggers can be various things for different people. It is often a hypersensitive response to allergens but it can also be triggered by increased anxiety, stress, or even laughter. The bronchi reacts to the stimuli with swelling in the mucous membranes, producing excessive mucous secretions, and causing muscle contraction. Due to the swelling and narrowing of the airways, the result is wheezing and difficulty breathing. The pressure produced doesn't allow for full expiration which means less air is taken in and oxygen levels drop. Asthma is managed through drug prevention with different medications to keep the airways open. Inhalers and nebulizers are used for

Long term goal: Blood gas analysis results will be within normal limits by discharge. 1). Patient

Airways are tubes that carry air in and out of one’s lungs. These airways become swollen because of Asthma, making less air flow inside the body.

During one of my clinical rotations, I had a patient under my care that had a case of asthma attack. Asthma is an inflammatory condition that is chronic. It affects the bronchial mucosa resulting in an excessive responsiveness and airway constriction. According to Huether & McCance (2012), more than 100 genes are recognized for the pathogens and vulnerability of asthma. This journal will elucidate potential predisposing genetic and environmental factors associated with asthma.

The immediate nursing care of patients with asthma depends on the clinical manifestations, severity of symptoms and response to treatment.

Inhibit the IgE to the IgE receptor on the surface of mast cells and basophil.