Diagnosis And Management Of Respiratory, Cardiovascular, And Genetic Disorders Case Study 2: Brian is a 14-year-old known asthmatic with a 2-day history of worsening cough and shortness of breath. He reports using a short-acting beta agonist every 3 hours over the previous 24 hours. He has a long-acting inhaled corticosteroid, but the prescription ran out, and he forgot to refill it. He says he came today because he woke up at 2 a.m. coughing and couldn’t stop, thus preventing him from going back to sleep. Over-the-counter cough suppressants don’t help. He denies cigarette smoking, but his clothing smells like smoke. His respiratory rate is 18 and he has prolonged expiration and expiratory wheezes in all lung fields. There are no signs of dyspnea. All other exam findings are normal.

Education for Patients and Families on the Treatment and Management of the Respiratory, Cardiovascular, and Genetic Disorder

When educating patients and families on treating and managing respiratory disorders like asthma, it is essential to provide inclusive information and guidance to ensure effective management and prevention of exacerbations. For Brian, a 14-year-old known asthmatic, the focus should be optimizing his asthma control and addressing his acute symptoms. Firstly, it is crucial to emphasize the importance of regular use of long-acting inhaled corticosteroids as a preventive measure to reduce the frequency and severity of asthma attacks (Bleecker et al., 2022). Stress the significance of refilling prescriptions on time and establishing a system to prevent forgetting. Additionally, educate the family on using inhalers and spacers to ensure proper drug delivery and maximum benefit. This can be through explaining the role of short-acting beta-agonists as rescue medications during acute exacerbations and emphasizing the significance of using them as prescribed. Encouraging the family to monitor Brian’s symptoms and peak flow readings regularly is also appropriate to assess his asthma control and make appropriate adjustments to the treatment plan. Moreover, it is crucial to discuss environmental triggers, such as exposure to smoke, and advise on avoiding them to minimize the risk of exacerbations (Murray et al., 2021). Educating the family about the early signs of worsening asthma and when to seek medical attention promptly would also be recommendable. Lastly, providing information on lifestyle modifications, such as regular exercise and a healthy diet, would be suitable to support overall respiratory health. Providing comprehensive education and involving the family in the management process aims to empower them with the knowledge and skills to control and prevent future asthma symptoms effectively.

Conclusion

Brian, a 14-year-old known asthmatic, presents with a deteriorating cough and shortness of breath. His symptoms, along with his history of asthma and exposure to smoke, point towards an asthma exacerbation as the timely diagnosis. Asthma exacerbations are characterized by prolonged expiration and expiratory wheezes in all lung fields, and Brian’s respiratory rate and absence of dyspnea align with this diagnosis. Brian’s treatment and management plan should involve immediate administration of a long-acting inhaled corticosteroid, which he ran out of, along with educating him on the importance of medication adherence and avoiding triggers such as cigarette smoke. It is essential to emphasize to patients and their families the significance of following prescribed treatment regimens and seeking timely medical attention to better control and manage respiratory, cardiovascular, and genetic disorders.

 

References

Bekie, C. A. (2018). Head Start Parent Perspectives on Child Exposure to Secondhand Smoke at Home (Doctoral dissertation, Walden University).

Birnkrant, D. J., Bushby, K., Bann, C. M., Alman, B. A., Apkon, S. D., Blackwell, A., … & Ward, L. M. (2018). Diagnosis and management of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, part 2: respiratory, cardiac, bone health, and orthopedic management. The Lancet Neurology, 17(4), 347-361. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-4422(18)30025-5

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