Introduction
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease. Symptoms include coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. It can be brought about by genetic and environmental factors (Arcangelo, 2013). It is the most common chronic disease. Over six million children and twenty-two million adults are affected by the condition in the USA. Technological developments have helped nursing practitioners (NPs) understand the disease and come up with various treatment approaches. As a result, the cases of deaths caused by the disease have declined and the rate of hospitalization has gone down. The author of this paper will look at the effects of the stepwise management program in the treatment of asthma.
Long Term Control and Quick Relief Treatment for Asthma Patients
Asthma has no known cure. However, NPs use several treatment programs to control the condition. The approaches help the professionals maintain the functions of the lung and to alleviate symptoms. The strategy prevents emergency attacks that may lead to the hospitalization of the patient by NPs (Taylor et al., 2008).
The patient may use long-term control medications daily for a given period. On its part, quick-relief medication provides the individual with an immediate reprieve from the symptoms. As a result, NPs refer to this regimen as rescue drugs (Barnes, Drazen, Rennard & Thomson, 2008). An example is short-acting beta-agonists. The nursing professionals encourage patients to take the medication before engaging in any form of exercise. The medication relaxes the airway muscles and helps the patient to breathe easily.
The side effects of the quick-relief medication include restlessness, headaches, anxiety, as well as a fast and irregular heartbeat. With regards to long-term regimens, the common impacts include depression, increased appetite, heartburn, and difficulties in sleeping. The control of asthma by NPs varies with time. The NP should advise the patient to visit a health facility after every six months (Bateman et al., 2008). The practitioner may vary the dosage depending on the development.
Stepwise Approach in Asthma Treatment and Management
Nursing professionals use the stepwise approach to handle asthma. Before selecting the step to take, it is recommended for the NP to establish whether or not the patient is on long-term control drugs. The professional takes several steps to manage the disease. The first stage entails short-term treatment with such drugs as inhalers. According to Taylor et al. (2008), if symptoms persist, the NP may increase the dosage. Nursing practitioners group the steps and the patients based on age. For example, in step three, the treatment provided by NPs to patients who are over twelve years is different from that used on those between five and eleven years. In the last stage, the professionals introduce high dosages.
How Stepwise Management Assists Practitioners and Patients to Manage Asthma
A nursing professional evaluates whether or not a patient is poorly controlling their condition. The stepwise approach helps the NP to treat asthma based on the different categories and stages (Colbert, 2004). The signs and symptoms presented by the patient define the stage in which they will be placed by the NP. The professional reduce the medication as the symptoms recede. The intervention improves the condition of the patient.
Conclusion
Asthma may lead to death if the NP and the patient fail to manage it effectively. Coughing and breathing difficulties are some of the common symptoms. NPs use several treatment options to control the disease. Rescue medication provides fast relief. The patient has to take long-term medication every day. The side effects associated with the treatments include anxiety and headaches. A stepwise approach helps the NP to settle on the suitable medical intervention. If the approach does not work, the APN should re-evaluate the diagnosis of the patient.
References
Arcangelo, V. (2013). Asthma. In V. Arcangelo & A. Peterson (Eds.), Pharmacotherapeutics for advanced practice: A practical approach (3rd edn.) (pp. 346-364). New York: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Barnes, P., Drazen, J., Rennard, S., & Thomson, N. (2008). Asthma and COPD: Basic mechanisms and clinical management (2nd edn.). Amsterdam: Academic Press.
Bateman, E., Hurd, S., Barnes, P., Bousquet, J., Drazen, J., Fitzgerald, M.,…Zar, H. (2008). Global strategy for asthma management and prevention: GINA executive summary. European Respiratory Journal, 31(1), 143-178.
Colbert, D. (2004). The Bible cure for asthma: Ancient truths, natural remedies, and the latest findings for your health today. Lake Mary, Fla: Siloam.
Taylor, D., Bateman, E., Boulet, L., Boushey, H., Busse, W., Casale, T.,…Reddel, H. (2008). A new perspective on concepts of asthma severity and control. European Respiratory Journal, 32(3), 545-554.