NURS 3122 Study Guide - Final Guide: Anticholinergic, Peak Expiratory Flow, Palpitations
1 May 2017
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Document Summary
Clinical therapy includes medications, hydration, education, and support of parents and child. Pharmacologic therapies are matched to the severity of asthma for long-term control and for management of acute episodes. The goal is to maintain asthma control long term using the least amount of medication, thus reducing the risk for adverse effects. Children should be encouraged to participate in physical activities and exercise. Children with exercise-induced asthma have a history of coughing, breathlessness, chest pain, or wheezing that occurs during and after exercise. A spirometry or pefm reading of a 15% decrease in peak flow with exertion is usually noted. Pretreatment with short-acting beta2-agonists immediately before exercise often prevents exercise-induced asthma and provides relief for up to 3 hours. Most children with acute exacerbations respond to aggressive management in the emergency department, including continuous albuterol by nebulizer, oral systemic corticosteroids, and inhaled ipratropium. Chest physiotherapy is not beneficial and it causes unnecessary stress to the child.
