Help the patient develop a strategy to address each concern or fear. Reinforce the patient's efforts to solve problems. Describe the nature of asthma. That is, airway linings are swollen. Airways narrow and breathing becomes difficult.
Airways are hyperresponsive or are super sensitive.
Emphasize that treatment requires a continuous care approach to control symptoms, prevent episodes, and reduce chronic airway inflammation. Emphasize that prevention of episodes is an important goal of therapy. Use of anti-inflammatory medications to reverse and prevent inflammation Early intervention when episodes do occur to reduce the likelihood of developing severe airway narrowing. Describe the goals of asthma management that are listed on the learning record. Describe the topics that you will cover with the patient to work toward the goals of asthma management.