Complications of asthma can be sudden. Consider the case of Bradley Wilson, a young boy who had several medical conditions. He appeared in good health when he went to school, returned home, and ate dinner. However, when he later went outside to play, he came back inside wheezing. An ambulance took him to the hospital where he was pronounced dead (Briscoe, 2012). In another case, 10-year-old Dynasty Reese, who had mild asthma, woke up in the middle of the night and ran to her grandfather’s bedroom to tell him she couldn’t breathe. By the time paramedics arrived, she had passed out and was pronounced dead at the hospital (Glissman, 2012). These situations continue to outline the importance of recognizing symptoms of asthma and providing immediate treatment, as well as distinguishing minor symptoms from serious, life-threatening symptoms. Since these symptoms and attacks are often induced by a trigger, as an advanced practice nurse, you must be able to help patients identify their triggers and recommend appropriate treatment options. For this reason, you need to understand the pathophysiological mechanisms of chronic asthma and acute asthma exacerbation.

To Prepare

· Review “Asthma” in Chapter 27 of the Huether and McCance text. Identify the pathophysiological mechanisms of chronic asthma and acute asthma exacerbation. Consider how these disorders are similar and different.

· Select a patient factor different from the one you selected in this week’s Discussion: genetics, gender, ethnicity, age, or behavior. Think about how the factor you selected might impact the pathophysiology of both disorders. Reflect on how you would diagnose and prescribe treatment of these disorders for a patient based on the factor you selected.

· Review the “Mind maps—Dementia, Endocarditis, and Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)” media in the Week 2 Learning Resources. Use the examples in the media as a guide to construct two mind maps—one for chronic asthma and one for acute asthma exacerbation. Consider the epidemiology and clinical presentation of both chronic asthma and acute asthma exacerbation.

ASSIGNMENT

Write a 2- to 3-page paper that addresses the following:

· Describe the pathophysiological mechanisms of chronic asthma and acute asthma exacerbation. Be sure to explain the changes in the arterial blood gas patterns during an exacerbation.

· Explain how the factor you selected might impact the pathophysiology of both disorders. Describe how you would diagnose and prescribe treatment for a patient based on the factor you selected.

· Construct two mind maps—one for chronic asthma and one for acute asthma exacerbation. Include the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and clinical presentation, as well as the diagnosis and treatment you explained in your paper.

Required Readings

Huether, S. E., & McCance, K. L. (2017). Understanding pathophysiology (6th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby.

Chapter 26, “Structure and Function of the Pulmonary System”

This chapter provides information relating to the structure and function of the pulmonary system to illustrate normal pulmonary function. It focuses on gas transport to build the foundation for examining alterations of pulmonary function.

Chapter 27, “Alterations of Pulmonary Function”

This chapter examines clinical manifestations of pulmonary alterations and disorders of the chest wall and pleura. It covers the pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, evaluation, and treatment of obstructive lung diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis, and emphysema.

Chapter 28, “Alterations of Pulmonary Function in Children”

This chapter focuses on alterations of pulmonary function that affect children. These alterations include disorders of the upper and lower airways.

Hammer, G. D., & McPhee, S. J. (2019). Pathophysiology of disease: An introduction to clinical medicine (8th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education.

Chapter 9, “Pulmonary Disease”

This chapter begins with an overview of normal structure and function of the lungs to provide a foundation for examining various lung diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Required Media

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2012e). Mid-course review. Baltimore, MD: Author.

This media is an interactive mid-course review covering course content.

Review the animations, case studies, and review questions on the evolve textbook support link. http://evolve.elsevier.com/huether

Optional Resources

American Lung Association. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.lung.org/ 

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.aafa.org

***USE APA FORMAT**

  

Content:

Instructions:

o Fulfill all of the requirements as listed above.

o Select 1 of the following worldviews (Secular Humanism, Hinduism, Buddhism, or Islam) that have been considered in the course content.

o Identify the worldview that you have selected on your title page.

o Using course content and additional sources outside of the course, complete the following:

Note: This is a “Critical Thinking” assignment so you must go beyond just giving factual content, and demonstrate your comprehension of the material. To accomplish this, the assignment will be asking you to “compare and contrast” your selected worldview (Secular Humanism, Hinduism, Buddhism, or Islam) with the biblical worldview.

· Compare: How are the 2 worldview positions similar or the same?

· Contrast: How are the 2 worldview positions different?

In your paper, you must follow the outline and answer the questions below.

How would the worldview that you selected answer these 5 worldview questions:

1. The Question of Origin – (What is the origin of the universe etc.? How did humanity come into existence?)

i. How would your selected worldview answer this question?

ii. Compare and contrast this with how the biblical worldview would answer this question.

2. The Question of Identity – (What does it mean to be human? Are humans more important than other living things?)

i. How would your selected worldview answer this question?

ii. Compare and contrast this with how the biblical worldview would answer this question.

3. The Question of Meaning/Purpose – (What is humanity’s purpose?)

i. How would your selected worldview answer this question?

ii. Compare and contrast this with how the biblical worldview would answer this question.

4. The Question of Morality – (What is meant by right and wrong? How is morality determined?)

i. How would your selected worldview answer this question?

ii. Compare and contrast this with how the biblical worldview would answer this question.

5. The Question of Destiny – (What happens when a person dies?)

i. How would your selected worldview answer this question?

ii. Compare and contrast this with how the biblical worldview would answer this question.