Breathing Easier
What is asthma? Asthma is a disease of the lungs that often leads to repeated
episodes of wheezing, chest tightness, breathlessness, and early morning or nighttime coughing. Asthma currently affects approximately 8 percent of adults and approximately 10 percent of children in North Carolina. In 2009, 94 North Carolinians died due to asthma. Asthma impacts all North Carolinians; however, African Americans, Native Americans, women, persons 65 years and older, children under the age of 5 years, and persons living in households with an income less than $15,000 are among the groups most affected by asthma.
NC Asthma Coalition 2015
EARLY warning signs Itchy, runny nose
Itchy, soar throat
Tightness or pain in chest
Yellow zone of Asthma Action Plan
Pediatric Asthma Services, Pitt County Memorial Hospital. (2008).
Helping you breath easier. University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina.
Coughing (may be worse at night or with exercise)
Wheezing
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Late warning signs- Emergency Fast Breathing
Flaring nostrils
Retractions- sinking of the skin between the ribs or front of neck
Changes in skin color
Difficulty walking or talking
Red zone on Asthma Action Plan
Pediatric Asthma Services, Pitt County Memorial Hospital. (2008). Helping you breath easier. University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina.
Asthma Triggers Smoke and nicotine
Cold and flu
Pet dander
Dust mites
Mold/pollen
Weather changes
Strong odors/ fumes/ chemicals
Medicine/food/insect bites
Cockroaches Pediatric Asthma Services, Pitt County Memorial Hospital. (2008).
Helping you breath easier. University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina.
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Exercise can also trigger an asthma attack
Pediatric Asthma Services, Pitt County Memorial Hospital. (2008). Helping you breath easier. University Health Systems of
Eastern Carolina.
Inhalers Some inhalers are used as
rescue medications. Example- Albuterol
Use as soon as you notice early or late signs of an asthma episode
If exercise triggers asthma attacks, you can use inhalers 15-30 minutes before exercising to help prevent symptoms
Pediatric Asthma Services, Pitt County Memorial Hospital. (2008). Helping you breath easier. University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina.
Spacers Spacers can be used as
an attachment to the inhaler.
Spacers allow more medicine to be inhaled by the lungs.
A spacer is not needed for all children.
Alamance County Asthma Emergency Action Plan Stay with student, attempt to calm student.
Have student rest in a sitting position, breathing slowly through mouth, exhaling slowly through pursed lips.
Offer fluids
Have student take prescribed medication as ordered by health care provider and parent permission.
Notify the Principal. Notify the school nurse, if in the building, or first responder. DO NOT LEAVE CHILD ALONE.
Notify parent of difficulty breathing or if medication is not effective in 15 minutes
Asthma emergency action plan Part II
If parent is unavailable or student is having extreme difficulty breathing, call 911 and transport to the nearest hospital. RED ZONE
References
Pediatric Asthma Services, Pitt County Memorial Hospital. (2008). Helping you breath easier. University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina.
http://www.airpurifiers.com/products/images/asthma2.jpg
http://www.emergencyanimal.com/b-images/coughing.jpg
http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/adam/images/en/common-asthma-triggers-picture.jpg
http://asthma.ncdhhs.gov/
ABSS Asthma Emergency Care Plan Name: _________________________________School/Yr: ___________Bus#: ____ Car Rider: ___
Birth date: ____________ Grade/Teacher: _ ___
After School/Extracurricular: _______________________________________________________________
Physician: ___________________________________Phone: ____________________
Emergency Contact: ___________________________ Phone: ____________________
Trained Staff: _____________________________________________________
Medications at School? Yes _ __ No ___Location: ______________________________
Asthma Triggers: Environmental _ __ Physical Activity ___ Other: _______________________________
Student’s Symptoms: (Check all that apply) Difficulty breathing ___ Wheezing ___ Excessive Coughing ___ Chest Tightness ___ Flaring of Nostrils ___ Numbness/Tingling in fingers/toes ___ Loss of color in lips/nail beds ___ Other:_ _______________________________________________
Items that relieve wheezing during attack: Inhaler ___ Nebulizer___ Oral meds___ Water ___ Rest ___
Other: __________________________________________________________________________________
Flow Rate: ____________________________________________________
Interventions:
Stay with child continuously. Attempt to calm student if needed.
Have student rest in a sitting position, breathing slowly through the mouth, exhaling slowly through pursed lips.
Have student take prescribed medications as ordered by MD and as indicated on medication permission form.
Offer fluids.
Notify school nurse if available.
Notify parent if child has severe breathing difficulty or if medication is not effective in 15 minutes.
If parent if unavailable or student does not respond to above, call 911 and transport to: _________
Monitor breathing and begin rescue breathing as necessary
PLEASE ADD ANY FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS THAT YOU WISH FOR YOUR CHILD:
Parent/Guardian Signature: _____________________________ Date: _____________________
School Nurse Signature: _______________________________ Date: _____________________