DiagnosisFor adults and children over 5 years old, lung (pulmonary) function tests are used to check how well the lungs are working. Poor lung function is a sign that your asthma isn't well controlled. In some cases, lung function tests are also used in asthma emergencies to help your doctor understand the severity of an asthma attack or how well treatment is working. Show
Lung function tests include:
TreatmentIf you and your doctor have worked out an asthma plan, follow its directions at the first sign of an asthma attack. This generally means taking two to six puffs of a quick-acting (rescue) inhaler to get airway-expanding medication, such as albuterol (ProAir HFA, Proventil HFA, Ventolin HFA, others) and levalbuterol (Xopenex), deep into your lungs. Small children and those who have trouble with inhalers can use a nebulizer. After 20 minutes, you can repeat the treatment one time if necessary. If you continue to wheeze or feel breathless after treatment, visit your doctor or urgent care that day. If you're having symptoms of a severe asthma attack, such as difficulty speaking because you're so short of breath, use your quick-acting (rescue) medication and get to a doctor's office or urgent care immediately. Your doctor may recommend that you continue to use quick-acting medication every three to four hours for a day or two after the attack. You might also need to take oral corticosteroid medication for a short time. Emergency treatmentIf you go to the emergency room for an asthma attack in progress, you'll need medications to get your asthma under immediate control. These can include:
After your asthma symptoms improve, your doctor may want you to stay in the emergency room for a few hours or longer to make sure you don't have another asthma attack. When your doctor feels your asthma is sufficiently under control, you'll be able to go home. Your doctor will give you instructions on what to do if you have another attack. If your asthma symptoms don't improve after emergency treatment, your doctor may admit you to the hospital and give you medications every hour or every few hours. If you're having severe asthma symptoms, you may need to breathe oxygen through a mask. In some cases, a severe, persistent asthma attack requires a stay in the intensive care unit (ICU). Clinical trialsExplore Mayo Clinic studies testing new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition. Lifestyle and home remediesAll asthma attacks require treatment with a quick-acting (rescue) inhaler such as albuterol. One of the key steps in preventing an asthma attack is to avoid your triggers.
Preparing for your appointmentBe prepared for your visit to your doctor so that you can get the most out of your appointment. At each visit:
Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions will help you make the most of your time together. Some good questions to ask your doctor include:
In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment. What to expect from your doctorYour doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over any points you want to spend more time on. Your doctor may ask:
Oct. 01, 2021 When caring for a patient experiencing an asthma exacerbation a nurse should place the patient in which of the following positions?Presenting with an asthma attack:
Position in high Fowler's to help with ease of breathing. Administer bronchodilators as ordered by MD. Administer oxygen (oxygen saturation 95-99%)
When a patient with an asthma exacerbation developed acute respiratory failure which prescribed therapy will the nurse administer first?Inhaled bronchodilators (beta-2 agonists and anticholinergics) are the mainstay of asthma treatment in the emergency department.
Which breath sound would the nurse Auscultate on a client experiencing an acute exacerbation of asthma?This is the most commonly heard breath sound associated with asthma.
Which treatment goal is the nurse's priority for a client with status asthmaticus?Management goals for status asthmaticus are (1) to reverse airway obstruction rapidly through the aggressive use of beta2-agonist agents and early use of corticosteroids, (2) to correct hypoxemia by monitoring and administering supplemental oxygen, and (3) to prevent or treat complications such as pneumothorax and ...
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