Asthma

• > reversible disorder caused by restricted airway
• > most common in children, and continued as adults
• > Treatment is around educating client and make goals that serve to manage the trigger and symptoms associated with asthma attack.

• >Chronic inflammatory condition that affects respiratory
• system particularly the bronchioles
• >inflammation occurs in response to triggers activated
• by mast cell, eosinophils, lymphocytes, macrophages, neutrophils.
• >symptoms: wheezing, breathlessness, coughing, SOB, and
• tightness in the chest.
• >Extreme case can lead to hypoxia/decrease oxygen
• supplies leading to respiratory failure
• >intervention is required immediately

• As you breath in, the diaphragm and intercostal muscles
• contract causing thoracic cavity to expand. The rib cage elevates and lungs expand and stretch to accommodation incoming air. Intrapulmonary volume increases.

• As you breath out the external intercostal muscle relax, the
• diaphragm relaxes, the rib cage descends and the lungs recoil. Intrapulmonary volume decreases and gases are forced out of the lungs

>colds and Flu viruses

>cigarette smoke

>exercise and activity

>allergies

>chemicals and dusts in environment

>temperature and weather changes

>emotions

>fumes

>household sprays

>some medicines

>15% of Nzers are affected mostly maori’s

• >Not confined to children, can happen at any time during
• life span  

>not treated immediately can result to death

>genetic linked

• >exposure to an increased number of allergens during
• childhood increases risks of developing asthma

• >made based on Hx, physical assessment-blood tests, x ray
• & lung function test using spirometer

>asking the right questions is essential and obtain hx

>What symptoms are presented and when?

• >Ensure client have a dairy to record all symptoms occurring
• and time, worsen

>Record personal best peak flow measurement

• >very effective tool that allows person with asthma to
• manage their symptoms by identifying when lung functioning is impaired.

• >Measure the amount of air that is forced out of the
• lungs when a person exhales

>measurement is decreased during asthma attack