Exam Case Scenario
Pathophysiology of Asthma
Asthma is a chronic lung disease characterized by episodes in which the bronchioles constrict due to oversensitivity. In asthma, the airways (bronchioles) constrict making it difficult to get air in or out of the lungs. Breathlessness is the main symptom. The bronchi and bronchioles become inflamed and constricted. Asthmatics usually react to triggers. Triggers are substances and situations that would not normally trouble an asthma free person. Asthma is either extrinsic or intrinsic. Extrinsic is when the inflammation in the airway is a result of hypersensitivity reactions associated with allergy (food or pollen). Intrinsic asthma is linked to hyper responsive reactions to other forms of
Always gain consent before any procedure so always keep the patient informed of what it is you are doing. Reassure the patient to reduce anxiety and try to make them as comfortable as possible. Ask the patient if they are in any pain and get the doctor to prescribe an appropriate analgesia. If the doctor has prescribed the patient antibiotics ensure that blood cultures are done prior to giving the patient their antibiotics, this will give an accurate result from the lab. Give the patient any other due medication making sure to ask if they have any known allergies. Regular peak flows should be done on the patient pre and post medication, this will tell us if the medication being given to the patient is working or not. Spirometry test will show how well the patient breathes in and out and it is also used to monitor the severity of some lung conditions, and their response to treatment. Take a mid stream urine sample from the patient and dip stick, depending on the results send down to the lab. The doctor might also want a chest x ray from the patient. Complete all the relevant risk assessment such as the Waterlow score (patients are classified according to their risk of developing a pressure sore), the MUST score (screening tool to identify adults who are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition), falls risk assessment (what the chances are of the patient falling) and Moving and