Case Management: Living with Asthma

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Living with asthma requires significant participation by the patient with self-care and management of their chronic illness. The focus of this research is to educate and promote health in patients with asthma, with nursing interventions. Education is vital for a patient with asthma and involves a collaborative partnership between the nurse and the patient. Because of the chronic nature of asthma, nurses have a vital role in educating patients on how to recognize when asthma is worsening, and when to respond appropriately to improve their outcome. Education can empower the patient to effectively self-manage and take responsibility for their illness. Written, verbal, and visual education should be used to teach the patient how effectively to use their medication. Most importantly, the patient should be able to explain their medication and demonstrate use of their inhaler. It is through better asthma-centered education that the quality of care can be enhanced. The main goal with asthma is to take time to educate the patient on the triggers, signs of good control, medications, and the best way to use an action plan.

Asthma: Patient Education and Nursing Interventions

Currently 24 million Americans of all ages have the chronic illness asthma. The prevalence of asthma has increased from 7.3% (20.3 million persons) in 2001 to 8.2% (24.6 million persons) in 2009, a 12.3% increase (Centers for Disease Control [CDC], 2011). In 2009, the prevalence of asthma was greater among children (9.6%) than adults (7.7%), and was particularly high among boys (11.3%) and non-Hispanic black children (17.0%) (CDC, 2011). Among all children, the asthma rate significantly increased during 2001-2009 from 8.7% to 9.6%, with...

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...ase, and clinical guidelines advocate a stepwise approach to drug therapy, where treatment is stepped up when required and stepped down when control is good. Asthma care requires routine health care visits, pharmacological treatment to effectively manage and control symptoms and an environment that minimizes exposure to asthma triggers. Asthma sufferers can decrease the severity and the number of attacks by using their medications as prescribed and avoiding or treating the triggers of asthma, such as allergies. hey will learn the importance of preventative treatment that can help to keep them healthy and help avoid both hospital admissions and emergency room visits.

-Prevention management includes teaching the patient who has persistent airflow obstruction and frequent attacks of asthma to avoid triggers of acute attacks and to pre-medicate before exercising.

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