Asthma and stepwise management | Nursing homework help
For long-term control, the asthma patient in my practice may be prescribed a daily maintenance medication such as an inhaled corticosteroid to reduce inflammation and prevent symptoms from occurring. These drugs can provide relief by decreasing the frequency of asthma attacks and improving lung function over time. In addition, the patient may also receive a rescue inhaler which is to be used during an attack in order to quickly open up airways and reduce symptoms. The side effects of these medications vary depending on the particular drug being taken but generally include coughing, headaches, and throat irritation.
In terms of impacts on the patient, long-term control medications can help improve their quality of life as they are less likely to experience sudden flares due to improved respiratory health. Rescue inhalers offer quick relief for when an attack does occur but should not be seen as a replacement for regular maintenance treatments. Ultimately, it is important that patients have access to both types of treatment so that they can live with minimal disruptions caused by their condition while still reducing their risk for severe complications or hospitalizations.