Asthma At School

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Asthma At School

• Rutherford County School Nurses
• Barbara Slacks, RN, BSN, NCSN

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Objectives

• Teachers will be able to describe what asthma is
  and what triggers an asthma attack
• Teachers will be able to list what needs to be
  done when a child has symptoms of asthma

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Prevalence

• most common chronic condition in childhood (1in 9
  school age children)
• accounts for about 25 of all school absenteeism
• 3rd leading cause of hospital admissions in
  children less than 15 years old

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What Is Asthma

• Chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways
• Characterized by
• airway inflammation
• airways that are overly sensitive
• airway obstruction
• Is not contagious

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Asthma Triggers

• Vigorous exercise
• Weather-cold air or changes in temperature
• Irritants-cigarette and wood smoke, cleaning
  products, perfumes, hair spray, spray and/or
  fragrant deodorants, flameless candles, and room
  fresheners

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Asthma Triggers continued

• Allergens-mold, pollen, dander, feathers, dust
• Infections
• Coughing, yelling, or laughing
• Acute stress or excitement

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What Happens When Exposed to Triggers

• Triggers activate an inflammatory response
• Airway lining swells
• Mucous forms
• Smooth muscles constrict

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Signs and Symptoms of Asthma

• Restlessness/Irritability
• Frequent Cough
• Wheezing (you may not be able to hear this)
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Tightness/pain in the chest
• Sucking in the chest skin between the ribs
  (retractions)

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Asthma Management

• Follow Asthma Action Plan
• Help student use medication
• Help them get into a position of comfort (usually
  sitting straight up)
• Provide a calm, reassuring atmosphere
• Call for help if needed (call School Nurse or
  First Responders)
• For signs of distress call 911

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Medications

• Relievers
• Used for quick relief of acute symptoms
• These rescue inhalers are used at school

• Controllers
• Are taken long term to obtain control of
  persistent asthma
• These medications are taken at home

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References

• National Association of School Nurses, (2007).
  Managing Asthma Triggers Keeping Students
  Healthy Air Quality Issues. Printed in the
  United States.
• Selekman, J. (2006). School Nursing A
  Comprehensive Text. F.A. Davis Company New York.
• What is Asthma. (2008). Retrieved March 11,2009,
  from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
  web site http//www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Dise
  ases/Asthma/Asthma_WhatsIs.html