Asthma

Etiology / Pathophysiology

• Airway inflammation and hyperreactivity triggered by allergens, infection, exercise, irritants, or stress.
• Bronchoconstriction, mucus, and swelling narrow airways and trap air.

Medications

Signs / symptoms

• Wheezing, especially during an exacerbation.
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
• Chest tightness.
• Cough that may be worse at night or early in the morning.

Nursing actions

• Assess work of breathing, wheezing, oxygenation, and ability to speak.
• Use rescue bronchodilator first during acute bronchospasm per protocol.
• Teach controller versus rescue inhaler difference.

Complications

• Status asthmaticus
• Respiratory failure
• Pneumothorax

NCLEX cues

• Silent chest is worse than wheezing.
• Tripod, accessory muscles, cannot speak full sentences.

Memory hooks

• No wheeze can mean no air movement.

Labs / Diagnostics

• Trend assessment findings and ordered diagnostics; verify exact values with school source material.

Review notes

• Session-derived study seed. Verify against school materials, ATI/NCLEX review sources, current orders, and facility policy before relying on details.