Question

Pediatric Respiratory Case Study

A 7-year-old is being discharged after initial diagnosis and treatment of acute asthma. You are the nurse caring for the patient whom will be discharged in a day or two.

1. What signs or symptoms would you have expected to see in this patient at the time of diagnosis? List the s/s.

2. What instructions would you give the patient/parent regarding the peak expiratory flow meter and how to use it?

3. What medications are prescribed for the child with asthma? How do they work?

4. How will you respond when the child’s parents tell you they plan to restrict him from physical education at school in order to prevent another attack? What physical exercises would you recommend to these parents?

5. What is the purpose of a spacer with the metered dose inhaler?

6. What is the overall goal of asthma management?

Answer 1

1)Some of the common signs and symptoms of asthma which can be expected in this child are

• Wheezing
• Chest tightness
• Breathing difficulty
• Coughing

2)Peak expiratory flow meter is a hand held devices for asthmatic patient to measure the expiratory rate.Using it is very simple

The child has to be upright or stand up

• Encourage child to take a deep breath
• Hold the breath
• Place mouth piece in mouth
• Ask the child to breath out
• Record the reading

Inform the parents to record twice to thrice a day and whenever there is a attack

3)The drug to be administered are

• Anti asthmatic drug: these drug stops or prevent the trigger of asthma
• Bronchodialator drug : this dilates the bronchus and increases the air capacity
• Inhaler: this directly releases bronchospasm directly acting on the lung

4)The parents can be advised that the child can do minimal physical activity .No heavy exercises like running, football to be encouraged.The child can play all indoor games.

5)The spacer makes the child to breath easily provided the medicine being still in the spacer.It can prevent the deposition of this medicine in mouth or throat ,which may cause infection.

6)The overall goal is to avoid the trigger inducing asthma.

Long term exercises like breathing exercises, yoga can be taught to the child.