lOMoARcPSD| 63525276
NR565 ASTHMA PROTOCOL: INITIAL VISIT
Name:
General Instructions:
Carefully read the assignment guidelines and rubric, and complete each section of the asthma protocol
below.
1) RATIONALE
a) This protocol will assist in the differentiation between treatment needs for clients with
asthma based on age and symptom frequency and severity, including the process for
identification of clients in need of referral to pulmonology to improve asthma control.
The design of the protocol for asthma encompasses these principles.
2) SYMPTOMS
a) ASTHMA
i) History of respiratory symptoms that vary over time with varying intensity,
including:
(1) Wheezing
(2) Shortness of breath
(3) Chest tightness
(4) Cough
ii) Triggers for exacerbation can include:
(1) Exercise
(2) Allergens
(3) Season changes
(4) Laughter
(5) Respiratory illness iii) Presence of asthma phenotypes iv) Client
responses on the Asthma Control Test (ACT) or the Asthma Control
Questionnaire (ACQ)
v) Reduced lung function and responsiveness with medications
(1) Reduced expiratory airflow (forced expiratory volume in one second, a.k.a.
FEV1)
(2) Variable peak expiratory flow (PEF)
© 2026. Chamberlain University LLC. All rights reserved.
, lOMoARcPSD| 63525276
3) PHYSICAL EXAM
a) Perform the following examinations:
i) Vital Signs (blood pressure, pulse, oxygenation, respiratory rate) ii)
Auscultation for wheezing iii) Identify increased work of breathing iv)
Identify retractions
v) Cardiac assessment
vi) Lower extremities for edema and pulses vii) Neurological
b) Consult supervising physician if findings of:
i) Respiratory distress
4) LAB TESTS
a) Depending on severity, can include:
i) Arterial or venous blood gas
(1) ph
(2) O2
(3) CO2
(4) Bicarbonate
(5) Base excess ii) CBC
(1) Hemoglobin and hematocrit
(2) WBC and eosinophils
iii) Total or specific IgE levels
iv) Consult supervising physician if:
(1) Abnormal blood gas results or severe anemia
5) PULMONARY FUNCTION TESTS
a) Forced expiratory volume in one second (a.k.a. FEV1)
b) Peak expiratory flow (PEF)
6) PHARMACOLOGICAL TREATMENT
Asthma Treatment Algorithm:
To successfully treat asthma, you must be proficient in applying age-group-specific Global
Initiative for Asthma (GINA) treatment recommendations. Treatment recommendations are
presented as steps, with the step number indicating a level of intensity. Complete the blanks
© 2026. Chamberlain University LLC. All rights reserved.
NR565 ASTHMA PROTOCOL: INITIAL VISIT
Name:
General Instructions:
Carefully read the assignment guidelines and rubric, and complete each section of the asthma protocol
below.
1) RATIONALE
a) This protocol will assist in the differentiation between treatment needs for clients with
asthma based on age and symptom frequency and severity, including the process for
identification of clients in need of referral to pulmonology to improve asthma control.
The design of the protocol for asthma encompasses these principles.
2) SYMPTOMS
a) ASTHMA
i) History of respiratory symptoms that vary over time with varying intensity,
including:
(1) Wheezing
(2) Shortness of breath
(3) Chest tightness
(4) Cough
ii) Triggers for exacerbation can include:
(1) Exercise
(2) Allergens
(3) Season changes
(4) Laughter
(5) Respiratory illness iii) Presence of asthma phenotypes iv) Client
responses on the Asthma Control Test (ACT) or the Asthma Control
Questionnaire (ACQ)
v) Reduced lung function and responsiveness with medications
(1) Reduced expiratory airflow (forced expiratory volume in one second, a.k.a.
FEV1)
(2) Variable peak expiratory flow (PEF)
© 2026. Chamberlain University LLC. All rights reserved.
, lOMoARcPSD| 63525276
3) PHYSICAL EXAM
a) Perform the following examinations:
i) Vital Signs (blood pressure, pulse, oxygenation, respiratory rate) ii)
Auscultation for wheezing iii) Identify increased work of breathing iv)
Identify retractions
v) Cardiac assessment
vi) Lower extremities for edema and pulses vii) Neurological
b) Consult supervising physician if findings of:
i) Respiratory distress
4) LAB TESTS
a) Depending on severity, can include:
i) Arterial or venous blood gas
(1) ph
(2) O2
(3) CO2
(4) Bicarbonate
(5) Base excess ii) CBC
(1) Hemoglobin and hematocrit
(2) WBC and eosinophils
iii) Total or specific IgE levels
iv) Consult supervising physician if:
(1) Abnormal blood gas results or severe anemia
5) PULMONARY FUNCTION TESTS
a) Forced expiratory volume in one second (a.k.a. FEV1)
b) Peak expiratory flow (PEF)
6) PHARMACOLOGICAL TREATMENT
Asthma Treatment Algorithm:
To successfully treat asthma, you must be proficient in applying age-group-specific Global
Initiative for Asthma (GINA) treatment recommendations. Treatment recommendations are
presented as steps, with the step number indicating a level of intensity. Complete the blanks
© 2026. Chamberlain University LLC. All rights reserved.
