BRONCHIAL ASTHMA
DR.BANU CHANDER PANDIAN .S
DNB FAMILY MEDICINE
RESIDENT
KG HOSPITAL
Asthma
Definition
 Reactive obstructive airway disease
 Chronic inflammatory lung disease
Inflammation causes varying degrees of obstruction in theInflammation causes varying degrees of obstruction in the
airwaysairways
 Asthma is reversible in early stages
Triggers of Asthma
 AllergensAllergens
 ExerciseExercise
 Respiratory InfectionsRespiratory Infections
 Nose and Sinus problemsNose and Sinus problems
 Drugs and Food AdditivesDrugs and Food Additives
 GERDGERD
 Emotional StressEmotional Stress
Early and Late Phases of Responses of Asthma
Fig. 28--1
Asthma
Pathophysiology
Bronchospasm
Airway inflammation
Airway hyperresponsivess
Asthma
Pathophysiology
Early-Phase ResponseEarly-Phase Response
 PPeaks 30-60 minutes post exposure, subsides 30-90 minutes
later
 Characterized primarily by bronchospasm
 Increased mucous secretion, edema formation, and
increased amounts of tenacious sputum
 Patient experiences wheezing, cough, chest tightness, and
dyspnea
Asthma
Pathophysiology
Late-Phase ResponseLate-Phase Response
 Characterized primarily by inflammationCharacterized primarily by inflammation
 Histamine and other mediators set up a self-
sustaining cycle increasing airway reactivity
causing hyperresponsiveness to allergens and
other stimuli
 Increased airway resistance leads to air trapping in
alveoli and hyperinflation of the lungs
 If airway inflammation is not treated or does not
resolve, may lead to irreversible lung damage
Summary of Pathophysiologic Features
Reduction in airway diameter
Increase in airway resistance r/t
 Mucosal inflammation
 Constriction of smooth muscle
 Excess mucus production
Asthma
Clinical Manifestations
Unpredictable and variable
Recurrent episodes of wheezing, breathlessness,
cough, and tight chest
Asthma
Clinical Manifestations
Expiration may be prolonged from a inspiration-
expiration ratio of 1:2 to 1:3 or 1:4
Between attacks may be asymptomatic with normal
or near-normal lung function
Asthma
Clinical Manifestations
Wheezing is an unreliable sign to gauge severity of
attack
Severe attacks can have no audible wheezing due to
reduction in airflow
“Silent chest” is ominous sign of impending
respiratory failure
Asthma
Clinical Manifestations
Difficulty with air movement can create a feeling
of suffocation
 Patient may feel increasingly anxious
 Mobilizing secretions may become difficult
Asthma
Clinical Manifestations
Examination of the patient during an acute attack
usually reveals signs of hypoxemia
 Restlessness
 Increased anxiety
 Inappropriate behavior
 Increased pulse and blood pressure
 Pulsus paradoxus (drop in systolic BP during inspiratory cycle
>10)
Asthma
Complications
Status asthmaticus
Severe, life-threatening attack refractory
to usual treatment where patient poses
risk for respiratory failure
ASSESEMENT OF SEVERE ASTHMA
PEF 33 -50%
Respitatory rate > 25
Heart rate > 110/min
Inability to compleate sentence in 1 breath
LIFE THREATENING FEATURE
 PEF 33 – 50 %
 Spo2 < 92% or pao2 < 60mmhg
 Normal paco2
 Silent chest
 Cyanosis
 Feeble respiratory effort
 Bradycardia or arrhythmia
 Hypotension
 Exhaustion
 Confusion
 Coma
Nearly fatal asthma
Raised paco2
Requring mechanical ventillation with raised
inflation pressure
Asthma
Diagnostic Studies
Detailed history and physical exam
Pulmonary function tests
Peak flow monitoring
Chest x-ray
ABGs
Asthma
Diagnostic Studies
Oximetry
Allergy testing
Blood levels of eosinophils
Sputum culture and sensitivity
Asthma
Drug Therapy
 BronchodilatorsBronchodilators
 ββ-adrenergic agonists-adrenergic agonists
(e.g., salbutamol,)(e.g., salbutamol,)
 Acts in minutes, lasts 4 to 8 hours
 Short-term relief of bronchoconstriction
 Treatment of choice in acute exacerbations
Asthma
Drug Therapy
 BronchodilatorsBronchodilators
 Useful in preventing bronchospasm precipitated by exercise and
other stimuli
 Overuse may cause rebound bronchospasm
 Too frequent use indicates poor asthma control and may mask
severity
Asthma
Drug Therapy
 Bronchodilators (longer acting)Bronchodilators (longer acting)
 8 – 12 or 24 hr; useful for nocturnal asthma
 Avoid contact with tongue to decrease side effects
 Can be used in combination therapy with inhaled
corticosteroid
Asthma
Drug Therapy
Antiinflammatory drugsAntiinflammatory drugs
 Corticosteroids (e.g., beclomethasone, budesonide)Corticosteroids (e.g., beclomethasone, budesonide)
 Suppress inflammatory response
 Inhaled form is used in long-term control
 Systemic form to control exacerbations and manage persistent
asthma
Asthma
Drug Therapy
Anti-inflammatory drugsAnti-inflammatory drugs
 Mast cell stabilizers (e.g.,sodium cromoglycate,Mast cell stabilizers (e.g.,sodium cromoglycate,
nedocromil)nedocromil)
 Inhibit release of histamineInhibit release of histamine
 Inhibit late-phase response
 Long-term administration can prevent and reduce
bronchial hyper-reactivity
 Effective in exercise-induced asthma when used 10 to
20 minutes before exercise
Asthma
Drug Therapy
Antiinflammatory drugsAntiinflammatory drugs
 CorticosteroidsCorticosteroids
 Do not block immediate response to allergens, irritants, or
exercise
 Do block late-phase response to subsequent bronchial
hyperresponsiveness
 Inhibit release of mediators from macrophages and eosinophils
Asthma
Drug Therapy
Leukotriene antagonist (e.g. montelukast,
zafirlukast)
 Leukotriene – potent bronchco-constrictors and may cause
airway edema and inflammation
 Have broncho-dilator and anti-inflammatory effects
`
TREATMENT
OXYGEN maintain saturation above 92 %
High dose inhalation bronchodilator
 Short acting beta2 blockers
 Plus ipatropium bromide
Systemic steroid
 Prednisolone 30 – 60mg
 Iv hydrocortisone 200mg
IVF – potassium suppliment
IV magnesium
INDICATION FOR VENTILLATION
Coma
Respiratory arrest
ABG
 Pao2 < 60 mmhg
 Paco2 > 45mmhg
 Ph low and falling
Exhaustion,confusion,drowsiness
Nursing Management
Nursing Diagnoses
Ineffective airway clearance
Anxiety
Ineffective therapeutic regimen management
Nursing Management
Planning
Normal or near-normal pulmonary function
Normal activity levels
No recurrent exacerbations of asthma or decreased
incidence of asthma attacks
Adequate knowledge to participate in and carry out
management
Asthma
Collaborative Care
Acute Asthma EpisodeAcute Asthma Episode
Therapy should continue until patient
• is breathing comfortably
• wheezing has disappeared
• pulmonary function study results are
near baseline values
Nursing Management
Health Promotion
Teach patient to identify and avoid
known triggers
 Use dust covers
 Use of scarves or masks for cold air
 Avoid aspirin or NSAIDs
Desensitization can decrease sensitivity
to allergens
Asthma
Patient Teaching Related to Drug Therapy
Correct administration of drugs is a major factor inCorrect administration of drugs is a major factor in
determining success in asthma managementdetermining success in asthma management
 Some persons may have difficulty using an MDI and
therefore should use a spacer or nebulizer
 DPI (dry powder inhaler) requires less manual dexterity and
coordination
Asthma
Collaborative Care
Status asthmaticusStatus asthmaticus
 IV corticosteroids
 Continuous monitoring
 Supplemental O2 to achieve values of 90%
 IV fluids are given due to insensible loss of fluids
 Mechanical ventilation is required if there is no response to
treatment
Asthma
Patient Teaching Related to Drug Therapy
 Inhalers should be cleaned by removing dust cap and rinsing
with warm water
 β-adrenergic agonists should be taken first if taking in
conjunction with corticosteroids
Nursing Management
Health Promotion
Prompt diagnosis and treatment of upper
respiratory infections and sinusitis may
prevent exacerbation
Fluid intake of 2 to 3L every day
Nursing Management
Health Promotion
Adequate nutrition
Adequate sleep
Take β-adrenergic agonist 10 to 20
minutes prior to exercising
Nursing Management
Nursing Implementation
Acute Intervention
 Monitor respiratory and cardiovascular systems
 Lung sounds
 Respiratory rate
 Pulse
 BP
Nursing Management
Nursing Implementation
 ABGs
 Pulse oximetry
 FEV and PEFR
 Work of breathing
 Response to therapy
Asthma
Collaborative Care
Education
 Start at time of diagnosis
 Integrated into every step of clinical care
Self-management
 Tailored to needs of patient
 Emphasis on evaluating outcome in terms of patient’s
perceptions of improvement
Nursing Management
Nursing Implementation
 Nursing InterventionsNursing Interventions
 Administer O2
 Bronchodilators
 Chest physiotherapy
 Medications (as ordered)
 Ongoing patient monitoring
Nursing Management
Nursing Implementation
An important goal of nursing is to decrease theAn important goal of nursing is to decrease the
patient’s sense of panicpatient’s sense of panic
 Stay with patient
 Encourage slow breathing using pursed lips for prolonged
expiration
 Position comfortably
Nursing Management
Nursing Implementation
 The patient must learn about medications and develop self-
management strategies
 Patient and health care professional must monitor
responsiveness to medication
 Patient must understand importance of continuing medication
when symptoms are not present
Nursing Management
Nursing Implementation
Important patient teaching:
 Seek medical attention for bronchospasm or when severe
side effects occur
 Maintain good nutrition
 Exercise within limits of tolerance
Nursing Management
Nursing Implementation
Important patient teaching (cont.):
 Patient must learn to measure their peak flow at least daily
 Asthmatics frequently do not perceive changes in their
breathing
Nursing Management
Nursing Implementation
Counseling may be indicated to resolve problems
Relaxation therapies may help relax respiratory
muscles and decrease respiratory rate
Nursing Management
Nursing Implementation
Peak Flow ResultsPeak Flow Results
 GreenGreen zonezone
 Usually 80-100% of personal best
 Remain on medications
Nursing Management
Nursing Implementation
Peak Flow ResultsPeak Flow Results
 Yellow zoneYellow zone
 Usually 50-80% of personal best
 Indicates caution
 Something is triggering asthma
Nursing Management
Nursing Implementation
Peak Flow ResultsPeak Flow Results
 Red zoneRed zone
 50% or less of personal best
 Indicates serious problem
 Definitive action must be taken with health care provider
Asthma
Drug Therapy
Long-term control medications
 Achieve and maintain control of persistent asthma
Quick-relief medications
 Treat symptoms of exacerbations
Asthma
Collaborative Care
Acute Asthma EpisodeAcute Asthma Episode
 O2therapy should be started and monitored with pulse
oximetry or ABGs in severe cases
 Inhaled β-adrenergic agonists by metered dose using a spacer
or nebulizer
 Corticosteroids indicated if initial response is insufficient
Asthma
Collaborative Care
Status asthmaticusStatus asthmaticus
 Most therapeutic measures are the same as for acute
 Increased frequency & dose of bronchodilators
 Continuous β-adrenergic agonist nebulizer therapy may be
given

Asthma