Assignment: Asthma

Assignment: Asthma
Complications of asthma can be sudden. Consider the case of Bradley Wilson, a young boy who had several medical conditions. He appeared in good

health when he went to school, returned home, and ate dinner. However, when he later went outside to play, he came back inside wheezing. An

ambulance took him to the hospital where he was pronounced dead (Briscoe, 2012). In another case, 10-year-old Dynasty Reese, who had mild

asthma, woke up in the middle of the night and ran to her grandfather’s bedroom to tell him she couldn’t breathe. By the time paramedics

arrived, she had passed out and was pronounced dead at the hospital (Glissman, 2012). These situations continue to outline the importance of

recognizing symptoms of asthma and providing immediate treatment, as well as distinguishing minor symptoms from serious, life-threatening

symptoms. Since these symptoms and attacks are often induced by a trigger, as an advanced practice nurse, you must be able to help patients

identify their triggers and recommend appropriate treatment options. For this reason, you need to understand the pathophysiological mechanisms

of chronic asthma and acute asthma exacerbation.
To Prepare
• Review “Asthma” in Chapter 27 of the Huether and McCance text. Identify the pathophysiological mechanisms of chronic asthma and acute asthma

exacerbation. Consider how these disorders are similar and different.
• Select a patient factor different from the one you selected in this week’s Discussion: genetics, gender, ethnicity, age, or behavior. Think

about how the factor you selected might impact the pathophysiology of both disorders. Reflect on how you would diagnose and prescribe treatment

of these disorders for a patient based on the factor you selected.
• Review the “Mind maps—Dementia, Endocarditis, and Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)” media in the Week 2 Learning Resources. Use the

examples in the media as a guide to construct two mind maps—one for chronic asthma and one for acute asthma exacerbation. Consider the

epidemiology and clinical presentation of both chronic asthma and acute asthma exacerbation.
To Complete
Write a 2- to 3-page paper that addresses the following:
• Describe the pathophysiological mechanisms of chronic asthma and acute asthma exacerbation. Be sure to explain the changes in the arterial

blood gas patterns during an exacerbation.
• Explain how the factor you selected might impact the pathophysiology of both disorders. Describe how you would diagnose and prescribe

treatment for a patient based on the factor you selected.
• Construct two mind maps—one for chronic asthma and one for acute asthma exacerbation. Include the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and clinical

presentation, as well as the diagnosis and treatment you explained in your paper.
By Day 7
This Assignment is due.
Note: The School of Nursing requires that all papers submitted include a title page, introduction, summary, and references. The Sample Paper

provided at the Walden Writing Center provides an example of those required elements (available at http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/57.htm). All

papers submitted must use this formatting.
Reference
Briscoe, K. (2012, May 12). Thetford: mother of Bradley Wilson, who died of asthma attack, told there was nothing she could have done. East

Anglian Daily Times. Retrieved

fromhttp://www.eadt.co.uk/news/thetford_mother_of_bradley_wilson_who_died_of_asthma_attack_told_there_was_nothing_she_could_have_done_1_1375128

Glissman, B. (2012, May 21). Girl’s death puts focus on asthma’s broader grip. Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved from

http://www.omaha.com/article/20120521/LIVEWELL01/305219975
http://www.kearneyhub.com/livewellkearney/girl-s-death-puts-focus-on-asthma-s-broader-grip/article_cfe02600-a343-11e1-8637-001a4bcf887a.html