AsthmaAsthma

• Keeping our Student’s Safe

ContentContent

• What Asthma Is and Isn’t

• What Happens• Asthma Treatment• Management

Strategies• Role of the School

Nurse

Asthma Is NotAsthma Is Not

• Infectious

• Contagious

ASTHMAASTHMA

• Asthma is an inflammatory disorder of the airways, which causes attacks of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing.

• Wikipedia

Common Asthma TriggersCommon Asthma Triggers

• Exercise• Cold Air• Smoke/pollution• Allergens such as pet dander, dust mites,

cockroaches, molds, and pollen• Colds, viruses, and various respiratory infections• Medicines/chemicals• Coughing, yelling, and laughing• Acute stress

Asthmatic Response to TriggersAsthmatic Response to Triggers

• BRONCHOSPASM– Windpipe muscles

tighten

• INFLAMMATION– Windpipe lining swells– Mucus forms in the

windpipe

Asthma Onset SymptomsAsthma Onset Symptoms

• Restlessness• Irritability• Cough• Wheezing• Shortness of Breath• Tightness in the

Chest

Asthma TreatmentAsthma Treatment

• BRONCHODILATORS– Quick Relief or “rescue”

medication

– Ventolin– Proventil– Maxair– Albuterol– Taken 15 or 20 minutes ahead of

time, these medications can prevent symptoms triggered by exercise or exposure to cold

ANTI-INFLAMMATORIES/STERIODSANTI-INFLAMMATORIES/STERIODS

• Reduce swelling and mucous production in the airways• Advair

• Azmacort

• Flovent

• Pulmicort

SPACERS FOR INHALER USESPACERS FOR INHALER USE

DON’T SHARE INHALERSDON’T SHARE INHALERS

Asthma ManagementAsthma Management

• Know the “triggers” that initiate an episode

• Avoid known “triggers”• Use of peak flow meter to

monitor status• Recognize the symptoms

of an episode onset• Have medications

immediately available• Allow adequate time for

recovery

EXERCISE – ONE OF THE MOST EXERCISE – ONE OF THE MOST COMMON TRIGGERSCOMMON TRIGGERS

• ANYONE who has asthma has the potential for exercise induced asthma (EIA)

• EIA symptoms are likely to be intense for 5 to 10 minutes and will usually resolve in 15-30 minutes

• ANY recess, physical education class, or extra-curricular sport activity has EIA potential

Contributing Factors Contributing Factors • Air Temperature and

Humidity• Wind, Dust, and Pollen

Counts• Air Pollution• Health Status

• January 11th 2010 Air Quality Index for

• Salt Lake City 142

• San Francisco 67

• Las Vegas 23

• www.airquality.utah.gov

Exercise ManagementExercise Management

• Know students at risk for exercise induced asthma

• Promote student responsibility for self-care

• Encourage premedication as appropriate

• Encourage warm up/cool down exercises

Exercise ManagementExercise Management

• Be alert for symptom onset

• Have asthma management and emergency plans

• Report any respiratory concerns

Staff CooperationStaff Cooperation

• Everyone’s cooperation is essential• Physical education teachers, coaches, and playground supervisors

have a special responsibility• Encourage student responsibility for self and others• Be prepared for emergencies

– Know the students– Know yourself– Know CPR

Episode ManagementEpisode Management

• Never leave a child alone !!!

• Call for help• Help student use his/her

medication• Assist in tripod position to

maximize respiratory function

• Provide a calm, reassuring atmosphere– Tripod position: refer to

picture.

Role of the School NurseRole of the School Nurse

• Provide “Health Care Plans” for those students that have asthma

• Provide asthma education programs for teachers and students

• Audit medication administration procedures

Medication AdministrationMedication Administration

• Parent’s need to sign a form authorizing staff to administer medication

– “Authorization of School Personnel to Administer Medication”

– Staff administering medications need to track medication use on a “Daily Medication Tracking Form”

• If the child is responsible they can carry their inhaler. Parent’s need to sign an authorization form for the student to carry medication. “Self Medication Self-Administration Form”

• Do NOT accept medication if it is not labeled with a Rx label from the pharmacy. This includes over-the-counter medications.

• Medication is stored in a locked cabinet or container

THE ENDTHE END

Your School Nurse

Suzanne Tanner RN, RDH

101 East 200 North

Heber City, Utah 84032

435-654-0280 ext. 4144

435-654-8289 cell

suzanne.tanner@wasatch.edu

ReferencesReferences

• Reilly, D. (2000). Managing Asthma Triggers Training Manual. National Association of School Nurses.

• Utah Department of Health (November 2010). Asthma and Air Pollution: Associations Between Asthma Emergency Department Visits, PM 2.5 Levels, and Temperature Inversions in Utah.

For more information visit these For more information visit these WEB SITESWEB SITES

• www.health.utah.gov/asthma

• www.winningwithasthma.org

• www.airquality.utah.gov

• www.health.utah.gov/asthma/air%20quality/pm25.html - information on recess guidelines.