...Asthma Asthma can be a very frustrating disorder. It affects so many people of all ages. There are many different types of asthma with many different symptoms. The way asthma affects one person may be very different from how it affects another person. Etilology Asthma is when your airways become narrow and inflamed. There’s extra mucus that is produced which makes it very difficult for someone to breath. Causes of asthma are unknown but heredity seems to play a role along with allergens and environmental factors. The strongest factor for developing asthma is Atopy, which is the genetic development of an IgE-mediated response to common aeroallergens. There happens to be two categories of asthma: allergic and idiosyncratic. With allergic asthma there is an antigen/antibody reaction on cells in the respiratory tract, which causes inflammation. Idiosyncratic asthma is a result from neurological imbalances in the autonomic nervous system. Asthma in people between the ages of 5 to 15 years usually have an allergic asthma and people that get asthma later in life are more likely to get idiosyncratic asthma. Mild asthma attacks are more common and the airways usually open up anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. Severe asthma attacks are less common but they last longer and end up requiring immediate medical help. Pathophysiology Asthma is considered an airway disease. It can be classified physiologically as a variable and partially reversible obstruction to...
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...The Effects of Asthma on African Americans Omari Steed HCS/245 September 23, 2013 Frances Keeler The Effects of Asthma on African Americans Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that affects all populations without racial, ethnic, or gendered prejudices. Although many communities endure the suffering associated with this life-threatening disease, studies have shown amplified numbers among African Americans. Of the 25 million Americans who have asthma, in 2010, more than four million were reported to be African American (Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute [PCORI], 2013). Not only are they more susceptible to developing it, but African Americans are also at higher risk of asthma related deaths as well (Silvers & Lang, 2012). There is no doubt that the disparities presented are a stark reminder that we, as a nation must convey the severity of asthma and its threat on African Americans. What is Asthma? Asthma is a common disease that affects the lungs, and lives, of 25 million Americans (PCORI, 2013). The disease itself will narrow and inflame the airway passages, making it difficult to breathe. People plagued by asthma experience many symptoms some of which include wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and chest tightening (US Environmental Protection Agency [EPA], 2013). The symptoms can range from mild to severe and even life threatening. Asthma is a lifelong battle. There is no cure for the disease; however, asthmatics learn to...
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...Health Assessment Case Study Introduction The focus of this case study is to examine further focused assessments that should be undertaken after Mr S's initial presentation of acute exacerbation of asthma. Reasoning for recommended focused assessments will be discussed with consideration of Mr S's presentation of symptoms, history, pathophysiology and risk factors for asthma exacerbation. Research on current asthma assessment protocols will guide recommendations, and assessment parameters will be described. Follow up care and self-management options for Mr S will also be explored. Asthma Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the lungs. It is characterised by airflow obstruction and lung inflammation (Johnson, 2010). Asthma symptoms include wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath and cough (Johnson, 2010). Potential triggers for asthma include allergens, viral respiratory infections, irritants, stimuli such as cold air or exercise and gastro-oesophageal reflux (Estes et al, 2013). Airway obstruction in asthmatics is variable and reversible. However poorly managed asthma can leave lasting structural changes in the cells and tissues of the lower respiratory tract, resulting in airway remodelling and permanent fibrotic damage (Kaufman, 2011). There is currently no cure for asthma, therefore the disease needs to be managed (NACA, 2014). Pathophysiology and assessment parameters It is important to understand the underlying pathophysiology of Mr Saunders’ presentation...
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...Asthma Case Study Lisa, a four-year-old with status asthmaticus, is admitted from the emergency room via a wheelchair to a medical pediatric unit. She is accompanied by her parents who both have anxious, tense facial expressions. Lisa’s vital signs are T-36.9° C, P- 140 (apical, regular), R 38 (regular but shallow), BP 118/78. She is pale but has no evidence of cyanosis. Her breath sounds are normal in upper lobes, with inspiratory and expiratory wheezing and scatter crackles in all lobes. Breath sounds in lower lobes are diminished. She has moderate intercostal retractions, some nasal flaring, and an occasionally loose, productive cough. Lisa has thin, whitish nasal discharge and tears are dried on her cheeks. She is irritable and appears frightened. Other significant data include: Wt 19 kg, Hemoglobin 12.5, Hematocit 37.3, theophylline level 10.5 mg/dl before treatment in ER. The chest x-ray films show that her lungs are hyper inflated with some infiltrates but no atelectasis or consolidation. Three days ago, Lisa came home from the day care center with the sniffles. By evening, she had rhinorrhea and a cough but no fever. This developed into a head cold. Two days ago, she helped her father rake leaves and then played in the leaves pile with a friend. About noon today, the day care center called Lisa’s mother because she said she couldn’t catch her breath and was tired. At home, Lisa’s mother gave her an Albuterol treatment, which helped for about 30 minutes...
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...Asthma is a disease in which the lungs become inflamed, causing symptoms like wheezing and coughing. It affects about 7–10 percent of children and about 7–9 percent of adults, the majority of them being males. Children who have asthma have an increased susceptibility to allergens such as pollen, dust mites, or animal dander, which can cause an allergic reaction. Furthermore, activities such as sports and exercising can cause an asthma attack. The amount of asthma cases in urban areas has steadily increased from 150 million in 2002 to 235 million in 2011 worldwide. Many people think that air pollution, crowded living conditions, smoking, exposure to secondhand smoke, and even cockroaches are to blame for this recent increase. In addition less...
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...However, previous studies have shown some association between outdoor air pollution and increasing symptoms, acute exacerbations, hospital admissions, and mortality in patients with pre-existing COPD (Ko & Hui, 2012). A study of hospital admissions related to heart and lung disease observed that there was a 2.5% increase in COPD admissions for a 10 µg/m3 increase in PM10 (Zanobetti, Schwartz, & Dockery, 2000). Another study regarding COPD and hospital admissions found that 10 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 occurring at lag 0 and 1 day was associated with a risk of approximately 0.9% for COPD hospitalizations (Dominici, et al., 2006). Regarding mortality, a six-city study conducted by Harvard found that adjusted mortality due to cardiopulmonary diseases appeared to increase in areas that had the highest past levels of fine particles and sulphates (Sunyer, 2001). The cities included in the study were Boston, MA, Knoxville, TN, Portage, WI, St. Louis, MO, Steubenville, OH, and Topeka, KS (Sunyer, 2001). Even though there is limited evidence to suggest a causal relationship between urban air pollution and COPD, harmful health effects due to air pollution continues to be an issue (Ko & Hui,...
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...Asthma What is Asthma? Asthma is an incurable lung disease in which the airways of the lungs swell and narrow making it difficult to breathe (National Institutes of Health, 2011). Symptoms of Asthma include: • Shortness of breathe • Tightness in the chest • Coughing • Wheezing Causes The exact cause of Asthma is still undetermined but researchers believe genetic and environmental factors may play an important role in the diagnosis (Mayo Clinic, 2011). Some of those factors are: • An inherited predisposition to have allergies • The parents have Asthma • Mother smoked while pregnant • Exposure to airborne allergens or viral infections while the immune system is still developing • Being overweight • Low birth weight A person living with Asthma can function normally; they do not experience symptoms on a daily basis. Although daily activities are not compromised in any way, people with Asthma must be aware of conditions that can cause the airways to narrow and swell (Mayo clinic, 2011). Some things that can trigger Asthma symptoms are: • Allergens from dust, mold, pollen, etc. • Irritants like cigarette smoke and chemicals such as cleaning products • Physical activity • Respiratory infections like colds Diagnosis Asthma is diagnosed by a primary care doctor and the diagnosis is based on family history, medical history, a physical exam, and test results (National Institutes of Health, 2011). The tests commonly used to diagnose Asthma...
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...Prevalence of Asthma in a Primary Care Setting Asthma is a major health problem in the United States as stated by the National Institute of Health, twenty- two million Americans have asthma, and nearly 1.8 million emergency room visits a year is the result of an asthma flare-up. Tem million of people missed work days a year because of asthma and the estimated cost are the healthcare is of $19 billion a year. Asthma is a major cause of missed school days for children and parents to missed work because of their children. Many adults and older children have several respiratory infection each year that may them visit the primary care centers; those who suffers from asthma have exacerbation of his or her medical condition because of this reason (Akinbani, 2010). The purpose of this paper is to analyze the prevalence of asthma in the Hispanic population and the importance of the recognition of risk factors for asthma symptoms, proper assessment, and treatment in the primary care setting. In order to treat this population is crucial to know their culture, believes, and practices to received their cooperation in the prevention and care of their medical condition. Hispanic population traces their ancestry to countries that were previously under Spanish rule, including Mexico, large part of Central and South American, and some Caribbean islands. Many of the Hispanic have variable proportion of European, Amerindian,...
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...Asthma Asthma is a respiratory condition that can cause serious problems for an individual. This condition causes difficulties in breathing and can cause the airways to become inflamed and swollen. Some of the more obvious symptoms of asthma include coughing, tightness in the chest area, wheezing and difficulty in breathing. These symptoms often become worse when a person has a cold or flu. Asthma can significantly hinder daily routines and are enhanced with physical activity and exercise. As a result of these conditions, a person may feel tired or even have anxiety attacks. Asthma obviously greatly affects the respiratory system causing difficulties during an asthma attack. The airways can become irritated and inflamed and, in severe cases,...
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...Asthma is a chronic disease of the lungs that affects millions of children in America. Millions of children are diagnosed with the disease each year, and are frequent visitors of the countries’ emergency rooms. Asthma is Greek for panting, which is what asthmatics experience when they experience an asthma attack (Eisele, 2003). According to Neergard (2006), more than 20 million Americans have asthma, and the chronic lung disease is on the rise. This paper will discuss the, causes, symptoms, treatments and the demographics of children being diagnosed with the disease. In order to understand the severity of the disease called asthma, one must understand it causes. These causes lead to the symptoms that have thus far caused the disease to kill 5,000 people every year and accounts for 2 million emergency-room visits (Neergaard, 2006). Though there are treatments for the disease widely available, certain causes of the diseases aren’t concretely founded, causing asthma to remain a mysterious disease to doctors. In the following we will go on a journey to discover the mysterious, precarious reality of children diagnosed with asthma. According to Eisele (2003), five thousand people die of it every year in the United States. Currently it's the sixth most common chronic condition in the nation. Three times as many people have it now as in 1980. Some 6 million of them are children. For children, asthma is the most common chronic disorder, the leading cause of missed school, and the leading...
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...In the case study this week the patient presented with signs and symptoms of respiratory distress making it difficult for her to carry on a conversation. This case studies purpose was to simulate what nursing assessment is needed and interventions need to be implemented. The patient was in her early 30’s with a diagnosis of asthma. On entering the room, the patient was pale and was showing signs of difficulty breathing. When carrying for a patient it is always important to introduce yourself, wash your hands and identify the patient. Before entering the room, you want to have looked at the medical record and review the medical history, diagnosis, and orders. Her medical revealed a medical diagnosis of asthma In theory we learned that asthma...
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...This is the second case study that is required for the class. Please submit a paper (doesn’t have to be long; you could even give me bullet-point answers to the questions listed below) that answers all of the questions posed after Case Study 1. I have included an easy second case study which, if you complete it, will be worth extra credit. Answers to the first Case Study are worth 25 points and responding to Case Study 1 is required work for the course. The extra credit, which is not required, will be worth a total of 10 points. Both are due at the beginning of class on Tuesday, March 10, 2015. Case 1 R.S. has smoked for many years and has developed chronic bronchitis, a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). He also has a history of coronary artery disease and peripheral arterial vascular disease. His arterial blood gas (ABG) values are pH = 7.32, PaCO2 = 60 mm Hg, PaO2 = 50 mm Hg, HCO3- = 30 mEq/L. His hematocrit is 52% with normal red cell indices. He is using an inhaled ß2 agonist and theophylline to manage his respiratory disease. At this clinic visit, it is noted on a chest x-ray that R.S. has an area of consolidation in his right lower lobe that is thought to be consistent with pneumonia. Discussion Questions 1. What clinical findings are likely in R.S. as a consequence of his COPD? How would these differ from those of emphysematous COPD? Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is comprised primarily of two related diseases: Chronic Bronchitis...
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...It is devastating to think about not having the right supply of air to help me to breath. How many times we have been told to take care of our body and lungs, and fell to do so. I have learn, not maintaining a healthy way of living dealing with your lungs will led to major problems in the long haul. The disease I will discuss is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease {COPD}. COPD is the resistance to airflow as a result of airway narrowing. Airway obstruction may result from accumulated secretions, edema, swelling of inner lumen of airway, bronchospasm, or destruction of lung tissue. There three cystic fibrosis that is related to COPD and they are Emphysema, Chronic bronchitis, and Asthma. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease has a major impact on both physical and psychological well-being {Donna R. Falvo, 420.} Realizing that this is a life-changing condition, with one cure and treatment [makes you think] ‘what does that mean?’ A pulmonologist told me, “That any person that is face with COPD would have to have a lung transplant to get rede of the disease.” The etiology of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease {COPD} is that cigarette smoking is the number one reason in developing COPD and is ten times likely to develop this disease. Secondhand smoke exposure can also cause COPD. When this happen hyperplasia in our cells produce more mucous, reduced airway due to hyperplasia, reduce ciliary activity that bring up foreign bodies to cough things up. Cigarette smoke will cause...
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...Throughout this paper, the pathophysiology of Asthma and the clinical manifestations of this respiratory illness will be explored and discussed, while looking specifically at the case study Zachy, a seven-year-old boy suffering from asthma. These findings, once explored will be linked to this unique case, ensuring an in-depth understanding of the effects asthma has on a pediatric patient can be determined. Asthma is a non-curable respiratory disease that disrupts the lung functionality of an individual due to chronic airway inflammation. Although this disease is unable to be cured, medication has a been adapted to ensure that this respiratory illness is controlled (Fehrenbach, Wagher & Wegmann, 2017). When investigating the incidence of Asthma...
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...Case Study 2: Session 7 R.J. is a 15-year-old boy with a history of asthma diagnosed at age 8. His asthma episodes are triggered by exposure to cats and various plant pollens. He has been using his albuterol inhaler 10 to 12 times per day over the last 3 days and is continuing to wheeze. He normally needs his inhaler only occasionally (2 or 3 times per week). He takes no other medications and has no other known medical conditions. Physical examination reveals moderate respiratory distress with a respiratory rate of 32, oximetry 90%, peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) 60% of predicted, and expiratory wheezing. Discussion: 1. A. What is the underlying mechanism of R.J.'s asthma? R.J.’s asthma is known to be triggered by allergies caused from cats and plant pollen. This type of reaction would be known as allergic asthma. The mechanism or R.J.’s asthma are IgE-mediated triggers. B. What are the three airway responses that occur during an asthma episode? The three airway responses that occur during an asthma episode is airway obstruction which is caused by bronchospasm. Second would be excess mucus production and third would be edema of the bronchial mucosa. 2. In addition to bronchodilator therapy with intermittent albuterol, what other pharmacotherapy is important in the management of asthma? Other pharmacotherapy that is important in managing asthma would be long term control medications such as inhaled corticosteroids, long-acting beta-2 agonist...
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