Asthma At School Rutherford County School Nurses Barbara Slacks, RN, BSN, NCSN Barbara Slacks, RN, BSN, NCSN

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

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

What Is Asthma: Chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways Chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways Characterized by: Characterized by: 1. airway inflammation 2. airways that are overly sensitive 3. airway obstruction Is not contagious Is not contagious

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

Asthma Triggers continued: Allergens-mold, pollen, dander, feathers, dust Allergens-mold, pollen, dander, feathers, dust Infections Infections Coughing, yelling, or laughing Coughing, yelling, or laughing Acute stress or excitement Acute stress or excitement

What Happens When Exposed to Triggers: Triggers activate an inflammatory response Triggers activate an inflammatory response Airway lining swells Airway lining swells Mucous forms Mucous forms Smooth muscles constrict Smooth muscles constrict

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

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

Medications: Relievers Used for quick relief of acute symptoms Used for quick relief of acute symptoms These “rescue inhalers” are used at school These “rescue inhalers” are used at school Controllers Are taken long term to obtain control of persistent asthma These medications are taken at home

References: National Association of School Nurses, (2007). Managing Asthma Triggers Keeping Students Healthy: Air Quality Issues. Printed in the United States. 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. 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: /Asthma/Asthma_WhatsIs.html What is Asthma. (2008). Retrieved March 11,2009, from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services web site: /Asthma/Asthma_WhatsIs.html