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Understanding asthma

Edwina Wooler Clinical Nurse Specialist Paediatric Asthma

Cher Piddock Asthma Nurse Practitioner, At the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Sick Children

This article discusses the physiology of asthma, its management and the education of patients and their families. It relates to UKCC Professional Development Categories: Care enhancement and Patient, family, client and colleague support

Aim and intended learning outcomes

The aim of this article is to give nurses a basic understanding of asthma, its diagnosis and management. After reading the article, the nurse should be able to:

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Understand the pathophysiological changes which occur in asthma

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Discuss triggers which may precipitate an attack

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Offer an informed opinion on strategies which may be used to decrease allergen load

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Understand the two main drug therapies used in asthma management

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Discuss the importance of issues defermining compliance

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Understand the principles of patient education.

Nursing Standard. 11, 5, 41-47. doi: 10.7748/ns.11.5.41.s50

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23 October 1996 / Vol 11 issue 5

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DIGITAL EDITION