Respiratory Update for SCC Nursing Faculty

Respiratory UpdateAsthma: Causes, Monitoring and TreatmentPresented by Cynthia Fouts, June, 2012Learning ObjectivesAfter viewing this presentation, the learner will be able to:understand the two major classifications of asthmalist ways to decrease the patients exposure to asthma triggerscoach the patient in performing peak flow measurementswrite an asthma planclassify asthma severitychoose correct management techniques based on severity.

Background:Asthma used to be viewed as a condition that a person gets, is treated, and suffers no lasting damage.Recent studies have shown that each asthma exacerbation leaves airway damage behind.In addition to physical damage, asthma exacerbations result in loss of productivity (both for adults at work and children in school).Asthma sufferers also report that asthma affects their activities and enjoyment of lifeAsthma Types:There are two major types of asthma:

Intrinsic also known as nonallergic or nonatopic

Extrinsic also known as allergic or atopicIntrinsicEtiology elusiveUsually occurs after 40 years of ageNon-specific stimuli:InfectionsCold Air ExposureExerciseEsophageal RefluxEmotional StressPollutantsFood Additives, Food Preservatives

Extrinsicclearly associated with exposure to a specific antigenic agentType I anaphylactic hypersensitivity reactionIgE-mediated allergic reactionFamily relatedUsually appears in childrenHypersensitivity immune response causes the disease by causing acute and chronic inflammationDecreasing exposure to triggers:Tobacco smokeQuit if smokerSmoke-free environments (car & house)Dust mitesEncase mattress in special dust-mite free coverEncase pillow in special dust-mite free cover or wash every week in hot water or cool water/bleachReduce indoor humidity to