asthma - Answers-Chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways that is intermittent and reversible.
-Bronchial constriction.
manifestations of asthma part 1 - Answers•wheezing
•dyspnea
•Coughing
•Mucous production
• prolonged exhalation
manifestations of asthma part 2 - Answers•decreased oxygen saturation
•Use of accessory muscles
•Poor O2 saturation
•ANXIETY
•Cyanosis (late sign)
diagnostic testing for asthma - Answers•pulmonary function tests - most accurate diagnostic test
• Peak flow meter with your client you want to take the highest value out of the three readings (perform
3 times)
-chest Xray
A pulmonary function test (PFT) is a noninvasive diagnostic tool that evaluates - Answers-how well your
lungs are working.
-It's commonly used to assess breathing issues, monitor chronic lung conditions, or determine readiness
for surgery
nursing care for asthma - Answers•sit them upright in a high fowler's position
•Administer O2
•Monitor VS- RR
•Auscultate lung sounds
•Provide rest periods
•Initiate and maintain IV
,•Teach to avoid allergens or triggers
-albuterol (beta 2 agonist)
Albuterol - Answers- short acting bronchodilator
-beta 2 agonist
-first line treatment
- increased heart rate and tremors are expected side effects
moa of bronchodilators like albuterol - Answers-Opens airways: Relaxes smooth muscle in the bronchi
and bronchioles
-Improves airflow: Allows more air to move in and out of the lungs
-Clears mucus: Helps loosen and expel mucus by widening the airways
Ipratropium - Answers-Anticholinergics
-S/E: dry mouth
-Headaches, blurred vision, or palpitations can indicate toxicity.
moa/uses of anticholinergics like ipratropium - Answers-Dries secretions (e.g., saliva, mucus), which is
useful before surgery or in respiratory conditions
-COPD and asthma: Opens airways and reduces mucus
Theophylline - Answers•Methylxanthines:
- only used when other treatments are ineffective, narrow therapeutic range (used if other meds don't
work)
Bet-2 agonist uses in the body - Answers-Relax airway muscles to open up the bronchi and bronchioles
-Improve airflow in conditions like asthma and COPD
-Reduce bronchospasm during acute respiratory distress
Why dilators before anti-inflammatories: Bronchodilators open the airways first: part 1 - Answers-
Bronchodilators open the airways first: By relaxing smooth muscle and dilating the bronchi, they create
a clearer path for subsequent medications.
Why dilators before anti-inflammatories: Bronchodilators open the airways first: part 2 - Answers-
Improved penetration of anti-inflammatories:
, -Once the airways are open, inhaled corticosteroids can reach deeper into the lungs, enhancing their
anti-inflammatory effect.
Why dilators before anti-inflammatories: Bronchodilators open the airways first: part 3 - Answers-Faster
symptom relief: =Bronchodilators act quickly, providing immediate relief from bronchospasm.
-This stabilizes the patient and allows time for the slower-acting corticosteroids to work.
Why dilators before anti-inflammatories: Bronchodilators open the airways first: part 4 - Answers-
Reduced airway resistance: -Lower resistance means better aerosol deposition of the steroid, especially
in small airways.
•Long-acting beta 2 agonist: - Answers-Salmeterol to prevent but not treat attack (maintenance)
•Anti-inflammatories such as - Answers-glucocorticoids (methylprednisolone, prednisone)
- they help to reduce inflammation in airways,
-Leukotriene antagonist- montelukast.
•Administer _____ (reduces airways resistance) before _____ - Answers- Bronchodilators
-anti- inflammatory
asthma meds - Answers-Bronchodilator such as Albuterol
-Anticholinergics: Ipratropium
-Methylxanthines: Theophylline
-Long-acting beta 2 agonist: Salmeterol
-Anti-inflammatories such as glucocorticoids (methylprednisolone, prednisone)
life-threatening episode of airway obstruction; unresponsive to common treatment. - Answers-life-
threatening episode of airway obstruction; unresponsive to common treatment.
-Persistent hypoxemia r/t asthma can result in respiratory failure.
manifestations of status asthmaticus - Answers•extreme wheezing
•Labored breathing
•Accessory muscle use
•Distended neck veins
•Risk for cardiac/respiratory arrest