Asthma for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
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Included In This Lesson
Study Tools For Asthma for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Asthma Medications (Cheatsheet)
Asthma Pathochart (Cheatsheet)
Asthma management (Mnemonic)
Asthma Implementation and Education (Picmonic)
Asthma Assessment (Picmonic)
Outline
Asthma
Definition/Etiology:
- Chronic reactive airway disease with airway hyperreactivity, inflammation, and reversible airflow obstruction
- Can be life-threatening. Status asthmaticus is a severe, refractory asthma attack
Common Triggers:
- Allergy induced
- Environment, (pollution, smoke, cold/dry air, seasonal changes)
- Medications (ASA, NSAIDs, beta blockers)
- Food additives, sulfites, tetrazine
- Illness – URI, GERD
- Exercise
- Menses
Pathophysiology:
Very complex – involves airway inflammation, constriction/obstruction, overresponsive bronchi
Clinical Presentation:
- Chest tightness, cough, increased work of breathing
Wheezing (expiration=early; inhalation=late)- may be audible without stethoscope
Assessment:
- Crackles on auscultation
- Prolonged expiratory time
- Lower lobe breath sounds diminished
Signs of hypoxia – impending respiratory failure
- Silent chest
- Restlessness, somnolence, decreased respiratory effort, bradycardia, periodic apnea
Collaborative Management:
- Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR)
- sit upright with legs dangling
- Inhale fully, seal circumference of the mouthpiece and exhale fully
- Note position of flow meter
- Repeat 3 times and base treatment decisions on best of the readings
Findings:
- 70–90% of predicted value or personal best, use inhalers
- Less than 70% of predicted value or personal best: seek medical attention
- 40–69% of predicted value or personal best: moderate exacerbation
- Less than 40% of predicted value or personal best: severe exacerbation
Meds:
- Short-acting beta agonists – relax smooth muscles, bronchodilation
- Anticholinergics – inhibits contraction of bronchial smooth muscle, limits mucus
- Corticosteroids – anti-inflammatory, limits mucus
- Magnesium sulfate – inhibits smooth muscle contraction, decreases histamine
Medications Delivery:
- Metered dose inhaler (MDI)
- use of spacer recommended; increases delivery from 15-85%
- Dry power inhaler
- Nebulizer
Evaluation | Patient Monitoring | Education:
- Avoid known allergens/triggers
- Use hypoallergenic bedding, wash in hot water
- Air purifiers, carpet removal
- Keep cats and dogs outside of the house
- Remain inside with air conditioning during the early morning and midday
- Take medication as directed, pretreat before exercise
- Smoking cessation
Linchpins: (Key Points)
If you treat late, you may have to intubate
- Position of comfort
- Progression prevention and airway management
- Severity of exacerbation determines clinical presentation and aggression of treatment
- Medication administration
- Trigger management
Transcript
For more great CEN prep, got to the link below to purchase the “Emergency Nursing Examination Review” book by Dr. Laura Gasparis Vonfrolio RN, PHD
https://greatnurses.com/
References:
- Emergency Nurses Association. (2017) Emergency Nursing Core Curriculum, 7th Edition. PA: Saunders
- Egging, D. (2017). Respiratory Emergencies and Thoracic Trauma. In CEN Online Review. Emergency Nurses Association.
EXAM 1 PREP
Concepts Covered:
- Liver & Gallbladder Disorders
- Respiratory Emergencies
- Disorders of Pancreas
- Noninfectious Respiratory Disorder
- Renal Disorders
- Infectious Respiratory Disorder
- Emergency Care of the Respiratory Patient
- Respiratory
- Respiratory System
Study Plan Lessons
Cirrhosis Case Study (45 min)
Chest Tube Management Case Study (60 min)
Chest Tube Management
Carbon Dioxide (Co2) Lab Values
ARDS Case Study (60 min)
ARDS causes Nursing Mnemonic (GUT PASS)
Artificial Airways
Asthma for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Case Study (60 min)
Metabolic Acidosis (interpretation and nursing diagnosis)
Noncardiac Pulmonary Edema for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Asthma
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology of Pneumonia
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Pneumothorax/Hemothorax
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Pulmonary Embolism
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Respiratory Failure
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Thoracentesis (Procedure)
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Tuberculosis
Nursing Care Plan for Pulmonary Edema
Nursing Care Plan for Restrictive Lung Diseases (Pulmonary Fibrosis, Neuromuscular Disorders)
Nursing Case Study for Pneumonia
Respiratory Alkalosis
Respiratory Course Introduction
Respiratory Distress Syndrome for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Respiratory Failure (Acute, Chronic, Failure to Wean) for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
Respiratory Infections (Pneumonia) for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
Respiratory Infections Module Intro
Respiratory Procedures Module Intro
Respiratory Trauma Module Intro
Trach Suctioning
Tuberculosis for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Ventilator Settings