NURS 6512 Assignment: Asthma and Stepwise Management
NURS 6512 Assignment: Asthma and Stepwise Management
Asthma is a chronic, inflammatory disease which affects the airways. It is associated with various symptoms such as wheezing, difficulty in breathing, chest pain, and cyanosis in severe cases. It is very prevalent in America where 22 million people are affected. The situation raises hospitalization levels to more than 497,000 annually (Kirenga et al., 2018). With such a high number, the country is significantly affected both economically and socially. Many children missed school days due to asthma and some caregivers are also forced to leave work to take care of their sick children. As productivity of the country lowers, a lot of money is used in managing the disease (Rothe et al., 2018). However, treatment options have been improved to address the situation.
Both quick-relief and long control medicines are used in treating asthma. Long-term control medicines (also called controller medicines or maintenance medicines). Long-acting beta-adrenergic (LABA) is one of the quick relief medication used. The LABAs help in providing long-term control of symptoms (Kirenga et al., 2018). Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are commonly used as anti-inflammatory drugs because they reduce inflammation caused by a vast diversity of inflammatory mediators (Yawn & Han, 2017). Rothe et al. (2018) highlight omalizumab (Xolair) as the most common Immuno-modulators used to prevent the binding of IgE to its receptor and in turn, inhibit IgE-mediated asthma from cascading before it begins.
STEP 1. Step one and two are recommended for all ages. In asthma treatment, inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are commonly used as anti-inflammatory drugs because they reduce inflammation caused by a vast diversity of inflammatory mediators (Yawn & Han, 2017). STEP 2. Referrals can be considered for ages between 0-4 (White et al., 2018). This treatment is recommended for patients who show no improvement in step one. The intensity of the medications are increased, and other treatment options are introduced to address the problem. According to Yawn & Han (2017), leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs) are introduced as the alternative category of drugs because they help in blocking leukotrienes from binding to the proinflammatory cells in the airways. Most commonly used LTRAs are montelukast, which is effective in allergic asthma.
Asthma is a respiratory disorder that affects children and adults. Advanced practice nurses often provide treatment to patients with these disorders. Sometimes patients require immediate treatment, making it essential that you recognize and distinguish minor asthma symptoms from serious, life-threatening ones. Since symptoms and attacks are often induced by a trigger, advanced practice nurses must also help patients identify their triggers and recommend appropriate management options. Like many other disorders, there are various approaches to treating and managing care for asthmatic patients depending on individual patient factors.
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One method that supports the clinical decision making of drug therapy plans for asthmatic patients is the stepwise approach, which you explore in this Assignment.
To Prepare
Reflect on drugs used to treat asthmatic patients, including long-term control and quick relief treatment options for patients. Think about the impact these drugs might have on patients, including adults and children.
Consider how you might apply the stepwise approach to address the health needs of a patient in your practice.
Reflect on how stepwise management assists health care providers and patients in gaining and maintaining control of the disease.
By Day 7 of Week 3
Create a 5- to 6-slide PowerPoint presentation that can be used in a staff development meeting on presenting different approaches for implementing the stepwise approach for asthma treatment. Be sure to address the following:
Describe long-term control and quick relief treatment options for the asthma patient from your practice as well as the impact these drugs might have on your patient.
Explain the stepwise approach to asthma treatment and management for your patient.
Explain how stepwise management assists health care providers and patients in gaining and maintaining control of the disease. Be specific.
Submission and Grading Information
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