Asthma And Stepwise Management Assignment

Asthma And Stepwise Management Assignment

Asthma And Stepwise Management Assignment

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 symptoms. 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. 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:

· Consider 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.

· Review Chapter 25 of the Arcangelo and Peterson text. Reflect on using the stepwise approach to asthma treatment and management.

· Consider how stepwise management assists health care providers and patients in gaining and maintaining control of the disease.

Write a 2- to 3- page paper that addresses the following:

· Describe long-term control and quick relief treatment options for asthma patients, as well as the impact these drugs might have on patients.

· Explain the stepwise approach to asthma treatment and management.

· Explain how stepwise management assists health care providers and patients in gaining and maintaining control of the disease.

A national panel of experts* makes it clear: asthma is a chronic disease that varies over time, depending upon each individual’s circumstances. This means that the dosage of medication used to control your asthma must be monitored and sometimes “stepped up” or “stepped down” to achieve asthma control and then manage your symptoms.

When you are first diagnosed with asthma, your doctor may prescribe increasingly higher dosages of an asthma controller medication until you consistently sleep well at night, stay active during the day and avoid emergency room visits or hospitalization.

Once you’ve achieved these goals, you and your doctor can work together to adjust your treatment so you need the least amount of medication(s) possible to maintain good asthma control.

This approach to asthma treatment is called stepwise. Your allergist will gradually increase or decrease – “step up” or “step down” – your medication doses until the best balance is found.

It is extremely important to take your medications as directed. Do not assume that you can decrease your dosage or stop taking a medication simply because you do not have symptoms. The purpose of the medication is to help you remain symptom-free. Talk to your doctor if you think your medications should be altered.