Asthma is not just a Asthma is not just a WheezeWheeze

Asthma is not just a Asthma is not just a WheezeWheeze

What is Asthma

Asthma is a chronic lung disease, which is characterized by attacks of breathing difficulty.

Goals for today• Recognize the signs and

symptoms of an asthma attack• Understand the plan for an asthma

attack at school• Deliver proper treatment

Signs and symptomsCoughing

Tightness in chest

Wheezing

Gasping for air

Prolonged expiration

Color changes (pale or blue).

Treatment• Avoiding trigger

• Exercise• Allergies• Illness• Weather and Air Quality

• Recognizing symptoms*• Medication*

• *Refer to “Emergency Guidelines for Schools”

What to do for an asthma attack

If you note the symptoms of an asthma attack, prompt treatment is necessary.Stop the student from what they are doing and have them sit upright.

Types of inhalers

Use of a Peak Flow Meter

• Green Zone (80 to 100 percent of your personal best number) signals all clear. No asthma symptoms are present, and you may take your medicines as usual.

Yellow Zone (50 to 80 percent of your personal best number) signals caution. You may be having an episode of asthma that requires an increase in your medicines. Or your overall asthma may not be under control, and the doctor may need to change your medicine plan.

Red Zone (below 50 percent of your personal best number) signals a medical alert. You must take an inhaled beta2-agonist right away and call your doctor immediately if your peak flow number does not return to the Yellow or Green Zone and stay in that zone.

Using an inhaler can be tricky

Care must be taken that the inhaler is used correctly to ensure that the medication gets to the lungs and not the back of the throat.

Using the inhaler A metered dose inhaler (MDI) delivers a

specific amount of medicine in aerosol form. This makes it possible to inhale the medication, instead of taking it in pill form.

MDI's are commonly used to treat asthma, COPD, and other respiratory conditions.

Take off the cap and shake the inhaler hard.

Breathe out all the way.

Hold the inhaler 1 to 2 inches in front of the mouth (about the

width of two fingers).

Start breathing in slowly through the mouth, and then press down on the inhaler one time. Breathe in slowly and as

deeply as possible.

Slowly count to 10 while they hold their breath (if they can). This lets the medicine reach deep into the

lungs. . This is referred to as a puff.

If the doctor prescribed more than one puff of medicine, repeat this procedure, starting with step 2. For inhaled

quick-relief medicine (Ventolin, Proventil, Atrovent), wait about one minute between puffs. There is no need to wait

between puffs for other medicines.

Rinse the mouth afterward to help reduce unwanted side effects. 

When to call 911• If the student is getting worse or

has no improvement in 15-20 minutes

• If color changes are noted• If they are unable to speak in full

sentences

At School…• Have a Classroom Health Care

Plan.• Know where the medication is to be

stored.• Consider having a back-up inhaler

at a central location.• Remember minutes count.

• Prepared by: Mary Clark RN, NCSNReviewed by: Paula Peterson APNP Primary Children’s Hospital Salt Lake City, Utah

• JMJ Publishers• 1156 Wilson Ave.• Salt Lake City, Utah 84105• 801 467-5083

*ASTHMA SCENARIOS*

Scenario #1Scenario #1Scenario #1Scenario #1Susie has a history of asthma and Susie has a history of asthma and keeps her inhaler in her bookkeeps her inhaler in her book

bag. She comes to the health room bag. She comes to the health room complaining of chest tightness and complaining of chest tightness and says she has not used her inhaler says she has not used her inhaler since this morning before school. It since this morning before school. It is now lunch time. She came to the is now lunch time. She came to the health room alone.health room alone.

What do you do??What do you do??

DO NOT send her back to get her inhaler!

Communicate with teacher and ask that her book bag be brought to the health room. (hopefully the inhaler is there)!!

Have Susie use the inhaler as prescribed and observe for improvement.

Any questions/concerns call nurse

 

Scenario #2Johnny comes to the health room with anote from his teacher telling you Johnnyneeds a cough drop because his cough isdisrupting the class. He is coughingconstantly, but when you listen, his lungssound clear. There is a blank space on theemergency card under health problems.

How will you take care of Johnny?

Ask if he has asthma

Briefly observe for shortness of breath. Is he talking freely, interacting?

Ask if he has an inhaler if history of asthma

Any questions/concerns call nurseCall parent

If distress, call 911

Good Job!!!!!