Question 1
The spirometer as well as the peak flow meter are among the key equipment needed in adequate assessment of asthma (Apter, 2014). As such, the spirometer measures the FEV (Force Expiratory volume) and the FVC (Force Vital Capacity) while the peak flow meter measures the efficiency in the flow of air from the lungs.
Question 2
Among the key symptoms and signs associated with asthma include;
-Chest tightness
-Shortness of breath
-Wheezing
-Fatigue
-Coughing
-Sleeping difficulties
Question 3
Asthma is usually associated with various precipitating factors that increase an individual’s likelihood of developing the disease. Among the key precipitating factors include;
-Family history of the disease (Asthma)
-Overweight
-Smoking
-Exposure to air pollution like exhaust fumes and chemical irritants
-Having allergic conditions like allergic rhinitis
Question 4
Wheezing is among the key subjective complaints among asthma patients and usually occurs due to narrowing or compression of the airways whereby this causes the airways to become turbulent resulting to vibrations in the airway walls thereby producing a wheezing sound especially during exhalation (Doeing & Solway, 2013). As such, the airways usually narrow due to allergic reactions, inflammations caused by the disease, infections or physical obstruction of the airway by inhaled foreign objects or presence of a tumor.
Question 5
The subjective data gained for the patient includes; physical symptoms such as wheezing, chest tightness and coughing, previous medical history, social history, medications currently used by the patient and allergic reactions. On the other hand, the objective data gained for the patient includes the patient’s vital signs such as respiratory rate, blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate and temperature. The occurrence and duration of the symptoms are some of the things that can help the nurse to differentiate between upper respiratory infections and asthma since asthma is usually episodic. In addition, the obstruction of airflow in asthma can be reversed through the use of medications such as bronchodilators unlike in cases of upper respiratory infections.
Question 6
Among the possible reasons for the inhalers ineffectiveness include; inappropriate use of the inhaler, expiry of the inhaler as well as exposure to asthma triggers. With regard to this, inappropriate use of the inhaler usually leads to its ineffectiveness thereby resulting to exacerbation of the disease. In addition, exposure to asthma triggers while still using the inhaler may limit its effectiveness. Moreover, use of the inhaler for the wrong purposes may limit their effectiveness. For instance, the use of maintenance inhalers in providing quick relief may not be effective. Moreover, the patient states that the inhaler was expired and expiry is usually associated with inhaler ineffectiveness.
Question 7
The patient’s vital signs usually help the clinician in determining the severity of the disease and the treatment options for the patient. Based on the patient’s respiratory rate, oxygen saturation and heart rate, it is apparent that the patient’s condition is moderate or mild. With regard to this, a respiratory rate of less than 25 and a heart rate of less than 110 beats/min indicate that the patient’s condition is moderate. Although, the patient’s oxygen saturation is 92%, a vital sign that is associated with severe asthma, the overall severity level should be recorded as moderate since the patient has more severity categories (i.e. respiratory rate and heart rate) associated with moderate asthma.
Question 8
Family history is one of the key unmodifiable risk factor for the patient whereby individuals with a known family history relating to asthma have a higher likelihood of developing the disease (Beasley, Semprini & Mitchell, 2015). Based on the patient’s subjective data, it is apparent that exposure to cigarette smoke is the key modifiable risk factor since exposure to cigarette smoke is associated with increased chances of developing the disease.
Question 9
Lifestyle modification and medication adherence are the key teaching areas for this patient. In regard to this, the patient should be educated on the relevant lifestyle modifications such as avoiding exposure to cigarette smoke and other asthma triggers such as pollen and dust (Murphy et al., 2012). In addition, the patient should be educated on the appropriate medication dosages, timings and the need to adhere to the medication regimens in order to prevent progression of the disease. As such, the patient’s subjective data is the main finding that led me to believe that the patient should be educated on the aforementioned areas. For instance, the patient states that she was exposed to cigarette smoke and her inhaler is expired. Thus, it is necessary for the patient to effectively understand this information since this shall enable the patient to adhere to the medications regimens and adopt make the relevant lifestyle modifications in order to improve their outcomes and prevent progression of the disease.
Question 10
Essentially, wheezes are breathing sounds characterized by a high-pitched shrill sound that is similar to a screech while a stridor is piercing sound that is usually high-pitched. Crackles are bubbling or crackling sounds that may be high-pitched or low-pitched.
References
Apter, A. J. (2014). Advances in adult asthma diagnosis and treatment in 2013. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 133(1), 49-56.
Beasley, R., Semprini, A., & Mitchell, E. A. (2015). Risk factors for asthma: is prevention possible?. The Lancet, 386(9998), 1075-1085.
Doeing, D. C., & Solway, J. (2013). Airway smooth muscle in the pathophysiology and treatment of asthma. Journal of Applied Physiology,114(7), 834-843.
Murphy, K. R., Meltzer, E. O., Blaiss, M. S., Nathan, R. A., Stoloff, S. W., & Doherty, D. E. (2012, January). Asthma management and control in the United States: results of the 2009 Asthma Insight and Management survey. In Allergy and Asthma Proceedings (Vol. 33, No. 1, pp. 54-64). OceanSide Publications, Inc.
