Asthma and Stepwise Management 1
NURS 6521 Week 4 Assignment, Asthma and
Stepwise Management
, Asthma and Stepwise Management 2
Asthma
Asthma is a disease characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness and narrowing as a
result of allergic reactions leading to diffuse airway inflammation (Arcangelo, Peterson, Wilbur,
& Reinhold, 2017). The inflammation is caused by a variety of triggering stimuli resulting in
partially or completely reversible bronchoconstriction. Signs and symptoms include dyspnea,
chest tightness, cough, and wheezing. The diagnosis is based on history, physical examination,
and pulmonary function tests. Treatment involves controlling triggering factors and quick
symptomatic relief using drug therapy, most commonly with inhaled beta-2agonists and inhaled
corticosteroids (Ortega & Pennington, 2017). Acute asthma exacerbation is considered a life-
threatening emergency and often requires hospital admission, the goal of asthma exacerbation
treatment is to control symptoms and return patients to their best lung function, often using
inhaled bronchodilators and systemic corticosteroids (Ortega & Pennington, 2017).
Approximately 25.7 million people suffer from asthma in the U.S., it results in around 9 deaths
per day, and costs $56 billion per year in treatment (Arcangelo, Peterson, Wilbur, & Reinhold,
2017; CDC, 2013). The purpose of this paper is to examine medication options for long-term
control and quick relief, and to understand the stepwise approach to asthma treatment and
management.
Medication Options
Proper care of patients with asthma involves the triad of systematic chronic care plans,
self-management support, and appropriate medical therapy. Controller medications (inhaled
corticosteroids, long-acting beta2 agonists, and leukotriene receptor antagonists) are the
foundation of care for persistent asthma and should be taken daily on a long-term basis to
NURS 6521 Week 4 Assignment, Asthma and
Stepwise Management
, Asthma and Stepwise Management 2
Asthma
Asthma is a disease characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness and narrowing as a
result of allergic reactions leading to diffuse airway inflammation (Arcangelo, Peterson, Wilbur,
& Reinhold, 2017). The inflammation is caused by a variety of triggering stimuli resulting in
partially or completely reversible bronchoconstriction. Signs and symptoms include dyspnea,
chest tightness, cough, and wheezing. The diagnosis is based on history, physical examination,
and pulmonary function tests. Treatment involves controlling triggering factors and quick
symptomatic relief using drug therapy, most commonly with inhaled beta-2agonists and inhaled
corticosteroids (Ortega & Pennington, 2017). Acute asthma exacerbation is considered a life-
threatening emergency and often requires hospital admission, the goal of asthma exacerbation
treatment is to control symptoms and return patients to their best lung function, often using
inhaled bronchodilators and systemic corticosteroids (Ortega & Pennington, 2017).
Approximately 25.7 million people suffer from asthma in the U.S., it results in around 9 deaths
per day, and costs $56 billion per year in treatment (Arcangelo, Peterson, Wilbur, & Reinhold,
2017; CDC, 2013). The purpose of this paper is to examine medication options for long-term
control and quick relief, and to understand the stepwise approach to asthma treatment and
management.
Medication Options
Proper care of patients with asthma involves the triad of systematic chronic care plans,
self-management support, and appropriate medical therapy. Controller medications (inhaled
corticosteroids, long-acting beta2 agonists, and leukotriene receptor antagonists) are the
foundation of care for persistent asthma and should be taken daily on a long-term basis to
