Exacerbation Prevention Measures for Asthma Patients

Patient was instructed on exacerbation prevention measures for asthma patients as follows: Maintain compliance with your inhalers, nebulizer treatments, and other bronchodilator use. Receive your flu and pneumonia shots, as scheduled. Identify the allergens and irritants triggering the asthmatic response and update any addition to this list with your file. This helps trying to avoid all the allergens you are aware of. Avoid being outdoors, especially during the pollen season, if you are allergic to [...]

Nurse Teaching on Chemical Mediators of Asthma

Patient was educated on chemical mediators of asthma as follows: During an asthmatic response, some chemical mediators are released from cells involved in this response. Cells called mast cells are present in the mucosa on the respiratory airways. When the mast cells are exposed to the appropriate allergens, some chemicals, such as, histamine, leukotrienes, and prostaglandins are released from the mast cells. These chemical mediators cause responses, such as, contraction of smooth muscle in the [...]

Measures to Avoid Allergens Causing Asthma

Patient was educated on measures to avoid allergens causing asthma as follows: Limit your outdoor activities during active pollen season to avoid exposure to the allergens and triggering of the allergies. Replacing carpet with wood floor or tiles will help reduce exposure to irritants and dust mites. Keep the windows closed during active pollen season, to avoid airborne pollen and weed making their way indoors. Maintain the air conditioner in good working condition, as it [...]

Signs and Symptoms of Asthma

Patient was educated on the signs and symptoms of asthma as follows: Wheezing A turbulent whistling sound that is produced, when airflow occurs through narrowed segment of airway. The wheezing is more obviously heard in extreme cases of asthma. Extreme shortness of breath Dry hacking cough Chest tightness and difficulty breathing This is due to air trapped in the airways, secondary to airway narrowing and it is difficult to accommodate fresh air. Extreme fatigue This [...]

Intrinsic Asthma

Patient was educated on intrinsic asthma as follows: Intrinsic asthma is a condition, in which, the causative agent is unknown. Since there is no defined allergen, managing and treating this condition can be at times difficult. The cause for this type of asthma is from within the human body. Anxiety, stress, exercise, and extreme emotional disturbances can precipitate an episode of intrinsic asthma. Signs and symptoms of intrinsic asthma include Inflammation of airways with increased [...]