Nursing Care Plan – Bronchial Asthma
Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways, associated with recurrent, reversible airway obstruction with intermittent episodes of wheezing and dyspnea. Bronchial hypersensitivity is caused by various stimuli, which innervate the vagus nerve and beta adrenergic receptor cells of the airways, leading to bronchial smooth muscle constriction, hypersecretion of mucus, and mucosal edema.
The symptoms of bronchial asthma includes:
- a feeling of tightness in the chest;
- difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath;
- wheezing; and
- coughing (particularly at night).
Asthma triggers may include:
- Tobacco smoke
- Infections such as colds, flu, or pneumonia
- Allergens such as food, pollen, mold, dust mites, and pet dander
- Exercise
- Air pollution and toxins
- Weather, especially extreme changes in temperature
- Drugs (such as aspirin, NSAID, and beta-blockers)
- Food additives (such as MSG)
- Emotional stress and anxiety
- Singing, laughing, or crying
- Smoking, perfumes, or sprays
- Acid reflux
Byron Webb Romero, RN, MSN
Finished BSN at Lyceum of the Philippines University, and Master of Science in Nursing Major in Adult Health Nursing at the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center. Currently working at Manila Doctors College of Nursing as a Team Leader for Level I and II, Lecturer for Professional Nursing Subjects, and also a Clinical Instructor.
