Lecture on Asthma

Introduction

• Presented by Cathy from Level Up RN.
• Focus on asthma: a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airway.
• Discussion includes symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and patient education.
• Includes a quiz at the end to test understanding.

Asthma Overview

• Nature: Chronic, intermittent, and reversible (unlike COPD).
• Pathophysiology:
  • Trigger (allergen or cold air) causes inflammation.
  • Leads to airway hyperresponsiveness, bronchoconstriction, and obstruction.
• Symptoms:
  • Dyspnea (difficulty breathing)
  • Wheezing
  • Chest tightness
  • Coughing
  • Tachypnea (rapid breathing)
  • Use of accessory muscles
  • Prolonged expiration
  • Severe cases may show a barrel chest.

Diagnosis

• Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs): To evaluate lung function.
• Arterial Blood Gases (ABGs): Check for decreased SpO2 and oxygen saturation below 92%.

Treatment

• Medications:
  • Bronchodilators (control and reliever drugs)
  • Anticholinergics
  • Anti-inflammatories
  • Leukotriene antagonists

Patient Education

• Peak Flow Meter:
  • Monitors airway narrowing before symptoms appear.
  • Use three times, record the highest number.
• Avoidance:
  • Identify and avoid environmental triggers and irritants.
• Exercise-Induced Asthma:
  • Take bronchodilator 30 minutes before exercising.
• Medication Knowledge:
  • Difference between short-acting (e.g., Albuterol) vs. long-acting (e.g., Salmeterol) bronchodilators.
  • Albuterol for acute attacks, Salmeterol for long-term control.
• Emergency Preparedness:
  • Carry an emergency inhaler at all times.

Complications

• Status Asthmaticus:
  • Life-threatening; unresponsive to usual therapy.
  • Can lead to pneumothorax, cardiac, and respiratory arrest.
• Signs & Symptoms:
  • Extremely labored breathing, gasping, inability to speak.
  • Decreased consciousness, cyanosis, neck vein distention.
  • Pulsus paradoxus (decrease in systolic blood pressure during inspiration).
• Treatment:
  • Bronchodilators, epinephrine, corticosteroids.
  • Nurse’s role: administer oxygen, prepare for emergency intubation.

Quiz Questions

1. Prolonged expiration is a symptom of asthma. True
2. When using a peak flow meter, record the average number after three attempts. False (Record the highest)
3. What type of bronchodilator should be used as a reliever drug during an acute asthma attack? Short-acting bronchodilator (Albuterol)

Conclusion

• Encouragement to subscribe and share the channel.
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