Neighborhood Scholarly Paper: Effective Control of Asthma Using Peak Flow Monitoring
Tammy Harris
Alvernia University

Neighborhood Scholarly Paper: K.Y. Management of Asthma Using Peak Flow Monitoring
The client focus of this paper is K. Y. She is an eight-year-old, typical third grader at the local elementary school, where she enjoys playing with her friends. K.Y. lives at home with her father, mother and two brothers. She takes swimming lessons, piano lessons, and enjoys family outings. Bur most of all, K.Y. loves anything that involves animals. Prior to her eighth birthday, K.Y. suffered from ongoing issues with reactive airway disease. This is a term used to describe a history of coughing, wheezing and/or shortness of breath, often used when Asthma is suspected but the diagnosis is unconfirmed. Recently, K.Y. has been officially diagnosed with Asthma, and is having a difficult time understanding why her breathing problem is keeping her from enjoying all the things that she loves. Prior to K.Y.’s diagnosis, the family had two cats that they have since removed from the home. Her mother is well educated on her medications and how to use them. With her daughters’ recent diagnosis, she has also learned how to monitor K.Y.’s peak flow and how to use these results to administer the medications at the most appropriate times. Although K.Y. knows she has a “breathing problem”, there is a great deal of education needed for her to understand her illness and what kind of impact it will have during her adolescence. In order to properly care for her emotional and psychological well being as well as her physical health; K.Y.’s parents will need to understand the role that psycho-social development plays in her growth and development. Developmental issues such as building a positive self image, increasing personal responsibility, problem-solving and goal-setting skills need