ATI PN 2 Final Review Respiratory-S/S of asthma

Respiratory -S/S of asthma ATI p 125-127, Med-Surg p 900 EXPECTED FINDINGS ●● Dyspnea ●● Chest tightness ●● Anxiety or stress PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT FINDINGS ●● Coughing ●● W heezing ●● Mucus production ●● Use of accessory muscles ●● Prolonged exhalation ●● Poor oxygen saturation (low SaO2) ●● Barrel chest or increased chest diameter Obtain history regarding current and previous asthma exacerbations. ●● Onset and duration ●● Precipitating factors (stress, exercise, exposure to irritant) ●● Changes in medication regimen ●● Medications that relieve symptoms ●● Other medications taken ●● Self-care methods used to relieve symptoms RISK FACTORS ●● Older adult clients have decreased pulmonary reserves due to physiologic lung changes that occur with the aging process. ◯◯ Older adult clients are more susceptible to infections. ◯◯ The sensitivity of beta-adrenergic receptors decreases with age. As the beta receptors age and lose sensitivity, they are less able to respond to agonists, which relax smooth muscle and can result in bronchospasms. ●● Family history of asthma ●● Smoking ●● Secondhand smoke exposure ●● Environmental allergies ●● Exposure to chemical irritants or dust ●● Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) The most common indicators of asthma in adults include wheezing (high-pitched whistling sounds on expiration), cough, difficulty breathing, recurrent chest tightness, and history of obstructive symptoms that occur or worsen at night or in the presence of triggers. There may be breathlessness, increased respiration, tachycardia, pulsus paradoxus, hyperexpansion of the