Asthma

Question 1

What is the cause of asthma? S/S of Asthma

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Answer 1

Narrowing of airway

S/S:
* ↑ mucous production
* accessory muscle use
* cough
* SOB
* expiratory wheezing
* ↑ RR

Onset before 12 years of age

• more common in males

Question 2

S/S of Hypoxemia

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Answer 2

• ↑ HR (tachycardia)
• ↑ restlessness
• ↓ pO2

Question 3

What is ↑ pCO2 indicative of in regard to asthma?

Answer 3

impending arrest

Respiratory acidosis

• we expect patients with a less severe asthma attach to have ↓ pCO2 / respiratory alkalosis

Question 4

Status Asthmaticus

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Answer 4

• ↑ pCO2
• Silent chest (impending arrest…BAD)

Can lead to pneumothroax & cardiac or respiratory arrest if condition is not reversedc

Severe, life-threatening acute episodes of airway obstruction that intensifies & does NOT respond to therapy

Question 5

What are the 2 hallmark traits (s/s) of status asthmaticus?

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PER HAYLEY

Answer 5

• Silent Chest
• ↑ pCO2

Question 6

Nursing Interventions for Asthma

Answer 6

• Self-care (increasing symptom-free periods & decreasing number & severity of attacks)
• Peak flow meter 2x daily
• Red zone rescue inhalers

Question 7

Pharmacological Therapy for Asthma

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Answer 7

Beta-2 agonists (bronchodilators)
* Cholinergic antagonists
* Anti-inflammatory agents
* Corticosteroids ( ↑ blood sugar, ↓ immune system)

Question 8

Beta-2 Agonist Therapy for Asthma

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Answer 8

Short-Acting Beta-2 Agonist (SABA) = RESCUE (-buterol)
* Albuterol
* Levalbuterol

Long-Acting Beta-2 Agonist (LABA) = Daily (-terol)
* Salmeterol
* Formoterol

Question 9

Other treatments for asthma

Answer 9

• Exercise (promotes ventilation & perfusion)
• Oxygen therapy (given during acute asthma attacks

Question 10

A patient with a history of asthma is having shortness of breath. The nurses discovers that the peak flow meter indicates a peak expiratory flow (PEF) reading that is in the red zone. The nurse should immediately:

a.) Repeat the PEF reading to verify the results
b.) Take the patient’s vital signs
c.) Administer the rescue medication
d.) Notify the patient’s provider

Answer 10

c.) Administer the rescue medication

Question 11

What is the difference in asthma and COPD?

Answer 11

Asthma: affects the airways & is reversible

COPD: affects the alveoli & is irreversible

Question 12

Signs & Symptoms of Asthma

Answer 12

• Wheezing (expiratory)
• ↑ RR
• ↑ mucus production
• Accessory muscle use
• SOB & cough

Question 13

What would an asthma patient’s ABGs look like?

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Answer 13

Low PaCO2 = respiratory alkalosis

• pH > 7.45
• PaCO2 < 35

Question 14

True or False:

The worse an asthma patient sounds, the better they are

Answer 14

True

Question 15

Interventions for Asthma

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Answer 15

• Self-care
• Peak-Flow Meter (x2 daily)
• Drug therapy

Question 16

What does the red zone of a peak flow meter indicate for an asthma patient?

Answer 16

Rescue inhaler is needed

Question 17

Define status asthmaticus

Answer 17

Severe, life-threatening asthma attack

does NOT respond to usual treatment

• risk of developing respiratory failure / arrest, cardiac arrest, or pneumothorax