Asthma

Question 1

Approximately how many Australians are asthmatics?

Answer 1

1 in 10. Approximately 2633859 people

2.7 million Australians (11% of the population)

Question 2

Explain what is Asthma?

Answer 2

Asthma is:
- A respiratory condition
- Affects airways in the lungs
- Chronic (long term) condition
- Causes breathing problems

Question 3

How is Asthma diagnosed?

Answer 3

Asthma is diagnosed by -
- shortness of breath, coughing,
- tight chest,
- wheezing,
- rapid breathing,
- difficulty talking,
- distress and anxiety, paleness,
- increased sweating, and
- tugging of the skin over the chest or throat.

Diagnosed by a doctor based on your medical history, physical exam, and lung function tests

Question 4

Explain what severe asthma is?

Answer 4

Severe asthma is when the person has obvious difficulty breathing, cannot speak in full sentences in one breath, tugs the skin between their ribs or at base of their neck, may have cough or wheeze and their reliever medicine doesn’t last as long as usual.

Question 5

List 4 signs/symptoms that a person is suffering an asthmatic episode.

Answer 5

• Shortness of breath
• Coughing
• Tightened chest
• Wheezing

Question 6

Provide 3 avoidable triggers for asthmatics.

Answer 6

Avoidable triggers:
1. Smoke (pollution, bush fire smoke)
2. Staying indoors on high pollution days (pollen)
3. Good ventilation when indoors

Question 7

Provide 3 unavoidable triggers for asthmatics.

Answer 7

Unavoidable triggers:
1. Exercise
2. Colds & flu
3. Certain medical conditions

Question 8

What medication is used by asthmatic?

Answer 8

There are two main types of asthma medications: relievers and preventers.
- Relievers are used to quickly relieve asthma symptoms, such as wheezing, chest tightness, cough, and shortness of breath. Some common names are Ventolin and Asmol.
- Preventers are used to control asthma and prevent symptoms from happening in the first place.

Question 9

Explain what a reliever does for an asthmatic and provide 2 examples of common names used for a reliever.

Answer 9

A relief inhaler is used to treat symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheeziness, or feeling tight in the chest. The medication in a relief inhaler relaxes the muscles in the airways, allowing them to expand wider. Symptoms often subside soon.
Two common names: Inhalers and puffers

Question 10

List two device aids that can be used to help administer asthma medication.

Answer 10

Two device aids are spacers and facemasks.

Question 11

Describe the 4-step process we use to administer asthma medication.

Answer 11

1. Sit the person upright
   * Be calming towards them
   * Don’t leave them alone
2. Give 4 separate puffs of the blue/grey reliever puffer
   * Shake the puffer
   * Put 1 puff into spacer
   * Repeat until 4 puffs have been taken
3. Wait 4 minutes
   * If there is no improvement, give 4 more puffs
4. If there is still no improvement call emergency assist 000