Bronchial Asthma

CASE ANALYSIS
Definition

A condition of the lungs characterized by widespread narrowing of the

airways due to spasm of the smooth muscle, edema of the mucosa, and the

presence of mucus in the lumen of the bronchi and bronchioles. Bronchial

asthma is a chronic relapsing inflammatory disorder with increased

responsiveness of tracheobroncheal tree to various stimuli, resulting in

paroxysmal contraction of bronchial airways which changes in severity over

short periods of time, either spontaneously or under treatment.

Pathophysiology

Exposure to allergens

Inflammation

Increase constriction of the

Smooth muscle

Hypersecretion of mucus in the bronchial tree to mucosal edema

Dyspnea

Causes
Allergy is the strongest predisposing factor for asthma. Chronic
exposure to airway irritants or allergens can be seasonal such as grass, tree
and weed pollens or perennial under this are the molds, dust and roaches.
Common triggers of asthma symptoms and exacerbations include air way
irritants like air pollutant, cold, heat, weather changes, strong odors and
perfumes. Other contributing factor would include exercise, stress or
emotional upset, sinusitis with post nasal drip , medications and viral
respiratory tract infections.

Most people who have asthma are sensitive to a variety of triggers. A

person’s asthma changes depending on the environment activities,
management practices and other factor.

Clinical Manifestation

The three most common symptoms of asthma are cough, dyspnea, and
wheezing. In some instances cough may be the only symptoms. An asthma
attack often occurs at night or early in the morning, possibly because
circadian variations that influence airway receptors thresholds.

An asthma exacerbation may begin abruptly but most frequently is preceded

by increasing symptoms over the previous few days. There is cough, with or
without mucus production. At times the mucus is so tightly wedged in the
narrow airway that the patient cannot cough it up.

Prevention

Patient with recurrent asthma should undergo test to identify the

substance that participate the symptoms. Patients are instructed to avoid
the causative agents whenever possible. Knowledge is the key to quality
asthma care.

Medical Management

There are two general process of asthma medication: quick relief

medication for immediate treatment of asthma symptoms and exacerbations
and long acting medication to achieve and maintain control and persistent
asthma. Because of underlying pathology of asthma is inflammation, control
of persistent asthma is accomplish primarily with the regular use of anti
inflammatory medications.

 Long-acting control Medication

 Corticosteroid are the most potent and effective anti inflammatory
currently available. They are broadly effective in alleviating symptoms,
improving air way functions, and decreasing peak flow variability. Cromolyn
sodium and nedocromil are mild to be moderate anti-inflammatory agents
that are use more commonly in children. They also are effective on a
prophylactic basis to prevent exercise-induced asthma or unavoidable
exposure to known triggers. These medications are contraindicated in acute
asthma exacerbation.

`Long acting beta-adrenergic agonist is use with anti-inflammatory

medications to control asthma symptoms, particularly those that occur
during the night these agents are also effective in the prevention of exercise-
induced asthma.

 Quick relief medication

Short acting beta adrenergic agonists are the medications of choice for
relief of acute symptoms and prevention of exercise-induced asthma. They
have the rapid onset of acton. Anti-cholinergic may have an added benefit in
severe exacerbations of asthma but they are use more frequently in COPD.

Nursing Management

The main focus of nursing management is to actively assess the air way
and the patient response to treatment. The immediate nursing care of patient
with asthma depends on the severity of the symptoms. A calm approach is an
important aspect of care especially for anxious client and one’s family.

 This requires a partnership between the patient and the health care
providers to determine the desire outcome and to formulate a plan
which include;
 the purpose and action of each medication
 trigger to avoid and how to do so
 when to seek assistance
 the nature of asthma as chronic inflammatory disease