The nurse is developing the teaching portion of a care plan for a patient with asthma. What would be an important component for the nurse to emphasize?

Question

A) Smoking a half a pack of cigarettes weekly is allowable.
B) Chronic inhalation of nonallergic inhaled irritants can trigger an attack.
C) Minor respiratory infections are not treated.
D) Activities of daily living (ADLs) should be completed in the waking hours.

Answer 1

B
Feedback:
Asthma is characterized by reversible bronchospasm, inflammation, and hyperactive airways. The hyperactivity is triggered by allergens or nonallergic inhaled irritants or by factors such as exercise and emotions. The trigger causes an immediate release of histamine, which results in bronchospasm in about 10 minutes. The later response (i.e., 3 to 5 hours) is cytokine-mediated inflammation, mucus production, and edema contributing to obstruction. Patients with asthma should not smoke at all and even minor respiratory infections should be treated to prevent an exacerbation of asthma and ADLs should be completed whenever the patient feels able.