Study Document
Asthma in Pregnancy Essay
Asthma is, in basic terms, a condition characterized by the narrowing and swelling of airways, as well as the production of extra mucus. This results in challenges in breathing – effectively triggering shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing. It is important to note there is no cure for asthma. It therefore follows that the control of asthmatic symptoms is of the essence. According to the American Lung Association (2020), a person who has a PEAK flow rate of 80% – 100% has reasonably good control of their asthma. On the other hand, as the American Lung Association further points out, “50 to 80 percent of your usual or ‘normal’ peak flow rate signals caution.” Maria’s PEAK flow performance is 60%. It should be noted that during pregnancy, uncontrolled asthma could present serious health challenges/risks for both the mother and the unborn baby. It therefore follows that that on this front, the relevance of making use of the relevant medications as well as avoiding triggers cannot be overstated.
In the present scenario, the overall goal ought to be the effective treatment of Maria’s asthma and ensuring that it is controlled well during her pregnancy. When it comes to the management of asthma during pregnancy, Murphy (2015) observes that key “goals include the prevention of chronic day and night symptoms, maintenance of optimal pulmonary function and normal activities, and prevention of exacerbations, using therapies with minimal or no adverse side-effects” (Murphy, 2015, p. 260). To a large extent, failure to effectively control Maria’s asthma during her pregnancy predisposes her to complications including, but not limited to high blood pressure. Other serious complications that could result include premature birth, restricted fetal growth – and in even still birth (in extreme cases). With a PEAK flow performance of 60%, Maria is in what is, according to the American Lung Association, referred to as the yellow zone. This essentially signals caution and is indicative of narrowing airways. Thus, intervention measures should be taken to return the PEAK flow to the green zone.
In seeking to manage Maria’s asthma, it would be necessary to put her on two medications, i.e. a rescue medication (in case she has an attack) and a long-term prevention medication so as to ensure that her asthmatic symptoms are well-controlled. Towards this end, for long-term control, Maria could be put on inhaled corticosteroids such as budesonide (Pulmicort). On the other…
Sample Source(s) Used
References
American Lung Association (2020). Measuring Your Peak Flow Rate. Retrieved from https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/asthma/living-with-asthma/managing-asthma/measuring-your-peak-flow-rate
Murphy, V.E. (2015). Managing Asthma in Pregnancy. Breathe (Sheff), 11(4), 258-267.
Related Documents
Study Document
Asthma Condition Assessment and Diagnosis
Condition Assessment and Diagnosis
It should be noted from the onset that patients who are asthmatic ought to manage their asthma in a proper manner during pregnancy. This is more so the case given the need to minimize complications during the term of the pregnancy. It is important to note that some of the problems that could result as a consequence of poorly controlled asthma during pregnancy include, but they
Study Document
Understanding and Managing Asthma
ASTHMA Etiology of Asthma Asthma is an inflammatory disease that influences the airways featured by recurring and variable symptoms, bronchospasm, and reversible airflow obstruction. Some of the symptoms of the diseases include coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing, and chest tightness. Asthma is perceived to be because of environmental and genetic factors. The diagnosis of the disease is based on patterns of symptoms and response to therapy with time. The clinical classification is
Study Document
Environmental Tobacco and Asthma Does Environmental Tobacco
Environmental Tobacco and Asthma Does environmental tobacco smoke increase the risk of asthma in children? Smoking is observed as a common habit among uncountable number of people belonging to various countries of the world. It is expected that the number of smokers will rise in the near future because of attractive marketing campaigns run by tobacco companies. There was a time when only men were habitual to smoking. In the modern 21st
Study Document
Heart Transplant, Asthma & Pulmonary
Its use on those with acute PAH should be performed with caution. The complication rate was observed at 2% in patients with acute PAH. The use of the procedure was deemed relatively safe for chronic pulmonary arterial hypertension. Severely ill patients should be subjected to non-invasive imaging method exhaustively before resorting to pulmonary angiography (Hofman et al.).# BIBLIOGRAPHY Albert, Nancy M. Caring for Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension. Nursing: Springhouse Corporation, May 1999. Retrieved
Study Document
Pathophysiology of Asthma or RSV
Pathophysiology-Respiratory Alterations
The pathophysiology of Mrs. Teel’s 7-month-old infant’s alteration is a persistent, lingering cough that has lasted for several months. The infant coughs mostly at nights and has had an allergic reaction to amoxicillin in the past. Aside from this, the infant appears healthy, the child’s breathing is clear to auscultation. The cough worsens when the baby cries but other than that the cough does not seem particularly bad.
Study Document
Woman in Fourth Month of Pregnancy Exercise
Woman in Fourth Month of Pregnancy Exercise and Diet Plan The client is in her late twenties and four months pregnant with her first child. She is concerned about maintaining muscle tone and flexibility so that she can have her baby naturally. She does not express any concerns about managing her weight gain during her pregnancy and, indeed, she is tall and proportionately streamlined. However, she confesses to never having truly