Home Care for an Asthmatic Child Term Paper

Total Length: 684 words ( 2 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 3

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Pathophysiology

Asthma is a respiratory tract disease reported to afflict about 300 million persons worldwide and is projected to increase (CCHMC, 2010). It is characterized by chronic and recurring inflammation and obstruction of the airways, expressed by wheezing or coughing. It was reported to be the leading chronic ailment among children (AsthmaCure, 2010). About 50% of cases subside when these children reach age 13 or 14. In the meantime, those who are stricken must contend with current knowledge that symptoms remain totally incurable. Nonetheless, these can be substantially controlled with adequate and proper education, treatment and management plan set up by a supervising physician. An important part of the success is sufficient knowledge about the disease and faithful adherence to the treatment and management plan (AsthmaCure).

Discharge and Education Plan

This includes the treatment plan itself and the correct use of the nebulizer and metered dose inhaler for home use by the child (Kovesi et al., 2010). It contains all necessary information on when the child must be rushed to the emergency department.
A recent study found that a single visit at the emergency department may make future unscheduled visits unnecessary. It also recommended a follow-up many days later with a primary care physician or asthma specialist within 4-8 weeks to evaluate the entire therapy management and maintenance dose, especially if it includes regular use of inhaled corticosteroids (Kovesi et al.).

A major part of the plan is the administering of the prescribed oral corticosteroids in combination with the inhaled mode to prevent more exacerbations (Pollart et al., 2011). These exacerbations may be mild, moderate, severe or fatal, according to symptoms, physical findings and other criteria (CCHMC, 2010). These criteria include lung function and saturation of oxygen. Oral corticosteroids are usually given for a week to 10 days, but a regimen of 1 mg per kg of prednisone for 3 days has been shown to be as effective for 5 days in completely containing symptoms within a week for children aged 2-15, which include the six-year-old in.....

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"Home Care For An Asthmatic Child", 20 July 2014, Accessed.19 May. 2024,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/home-care-asthmatic-child-190639