Breathing Easier

What is asthma? Asthma is a disease of the lungs that often leads to repeated

episodes of wheezing, chest tightness, breathlessness, and early morning or nighttime coughing. Asthma currently affects approximately 8 percent of adults and approximately 10 percent of children in North Carolina. In 2009, 94 North Carolinians died due to asthma. Asthma impacts all North Carolinians; however, African Americans, Native Americans, women, persons 65 years and older, children under the age of 5 years, and persons living in households with an income less than $15,000 are among the groups most affected by asthma.

NC Asthma Coalition 2015

EARLY warning signs Itchy, runny nose

Itchy, soar throat

Tightness or pain in chest

Yellow zone of Asthma Action Plan

Pediatric Asthma Services, Pitt County Memorial Hospital. (2008).

Helping you breath easier. University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina.

Coughing (may be worse at night or with exercise)

Wheezing

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Late warning signs- Emergency Fast Breathing

Flaring nostrils

Retractions- sinking of the skin between the ribs or front of neck

Changes in skin color

Difficulty walking or talking

Red zone on Asthma Action Plan

Pediatric Asthma Services, Pitt County Memorial Hospital. (2008). Helping you breath easier. University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina.

Asthma Triggers Smoke and nicotine

Cold and flu

Pet dander

Dust mites

Mold/pollen

Weather changes

Strong odors/ fumes/ chemicals

Medicine/food/insect bites

Cockroaches Pediatric Asthma Services, Pitt County Memorial Hospital. (2008).

Helping you breath easier. University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina.

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Exercise can also trigger an asthma attack

Pediatric Asthma Services, Pitt County Memorial Hospital. (2008). Helping you breath easier. University Health Systems of

Eastern Carolina.

Inhalers Some inhalers are used as

rescue medications. Example- Albuterol

Use as soon as you notice early or late signs of an asthma episode

If exercise triggers asthma attacks, you can use inhalers 15-30 minutes before exercising to help prevent symptoms

Pediatric Asthma Services, Pitt County Memorial Hospital. (2008). Helping you breath easier. University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina.

Spacers Spacers can be used as

an attachment to the inhaler.

Spacers allow more medicine to be inhaled by the lungs.

A spacer is not needed for all children.

Alamance County Asthma Emergency Action Plan Stay with student, attempt to calm student.

Have student rest in a sitting position, breathing slowly through mouth, exhaling slowly through pursed lips.

Offer fluids

Have student take prescribed medication as ordered by health care provider and parent permission.

Notify the Principal. Notify the school nurse, if in the building, or first responder. DO NOT LEAVE CHILD ALONE.

Notify parent of difficulty breathing or if medication is not effective in 15 minutes

Asthma emergency action plan Part II

If parent is unavailable or student is having extreme difficulty breathing, call 911 and transport to the nearest hospital. RED ZONE

References

Pediatric Asthma Services, Pitt County Memorial Hospital. (2008). Helping you breath easier. University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina.

http://www.airpurifiers.com/products/images/asthma2.jpg

http://www.emergencyanimal.com/b-images/coughing.jpg

http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/adam/images/en/common-asthma-triggers-picture.jpg

http://asthma.ncdhhs.gov/

ABSS Asthma Emergency Care Plan Name: _________________________________School/Yr: ___________Bus#: ____ Car Rider: ___

Birth date: ____________ Grade/Teacher: _ ___

After School/Extracurricular: _______________________________________________________________

Physician: ___________________________________Phone: ____________________

Emergency Contact: ___________________________ Phone: ____________________

Trained Staff: _____________________________________________________

Medications at School? Yes _ __ No ___Location: ______________________________

Asthma Triggers: Environmental _ __ Physical Activity ___ Other: _______________________________

Student’s Symptoms: (Check all that apply) Difficulty breathing ___ Wheezing ___ Excessive Coughing ___ Chest Tightness ___ Flaring of Nostrils ___ Numbness/Tingling in fingers/toes ___ Loss of color in lips/nail beds ___ Other:_ _______________________________________________

Items that relieve wheezing during attack: Inhaler ___ Nebulizer___ Oral meds___ Water ___ Rest ___

Other: __________________________________________________________________________________

Flow Rate: ____________________________________________________

Interventions:

Stay with child continuously. Attempt to calm student if needed.

Have student rest in a sitting position, breathing slowly through the mouth, exhaling slowly through pursed lips.

Have student take prescribed medications as ordered by MD and as indicated on medication permission form.

Offer fluids.

Notify school nurse if available.

Notify parent if child has severe breathing difficulty or if medication is not effective in 15 minutes.

If parent if unavailable or student does not respond to above, call 911 and transport to: _________

Monitor breathing and begin rescue breathing as necessary

PLEASE ADD ANY FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS THAT YOU WISH FOR YOUR CHILD:

Parent/Guardian Signature: _____________________________ Date: _____________________

School Nurse Signature: _______________________________ Date: _____________________