Introduction
Pediatric asthema is a chronic condition that requires long-term, intensive nursing care. This care plan will discuss the assessment of asthmatic children, their nursing diagnoses, appropriate outcomes, interventions and explanations of each, evaluation strategies and some frequently asked questions (FAQs).
Assessment
Atopic History: It is important to know whether the child (or any family member) has had a history of allergic rhinitis or eczema.
Environmental Exposures: Assessment should include inquiring about the child's exposure to allergens in the home environment, such as pets, dust mites, mold, and different environmental pollutants.
Current Medication Use: Make sure to inquire about current medications that the child is taking for asthma, such as inhalers and oral medications.
Functional Status: Asses the child's ability to complete activities of daily living and how it related to asthma.
Nursing Diagnosis
Ineffective Airway Clearance: This is due to bronchoconstriction experienced by asthmatic children. Signs and symptoms of this diagnosis may include cough, shortness of breath, and chest tightness.
Imbalanced Nutrition: This can occur when the child does not eat well because of their difficulty in breathing. Weight loss or failure to gain weight can be seen with this diagnosis.
Risk for Ineffective Coping: This is a result of the inability of the child to cope with the chronic nature of their condition and the difficulties it causes them.
Outcomes
The child will maintain an effective airway clearance. It is important that the child is able to effectively clear their airways and breathe normally. This outcome should be evaluated through assessments of respiratory status.
The child will remain adequately nourished. Through effective nutrition management, it is essential to ensure that the child maintains adequate nutrition levels so that their body can cope with the demands of the illness.
The child will demonstrate improved coping skills. Effective coping mechansims should be taught to the child in order to build up their resilience against their chronic condition and provide them with an effective way of dealing with it.
Interventions
- Encourage the child to perform deep breathing and coughing exercises. To increase the efficiency of airway clearance, deep breathing and coughing exercises can help the child clear their mucous secretions and improve ventilation.
- Provide nutritional advice. Provide resources and guidance to assist the child in making healthy dietary choices and ensure they are receiving the nutrition they need to maintain their health.
- Encourage relaxation. Educate the child on various relaxation techniques, such as progressive muscle relaxation and mindfulness, to help them deal with stress and emotional issues related to their condition.
Rationales
- Deep breathing and coughing exercises. These exercises will help to loosen and expel secretions from the lungs, improving airway patency, increasing oxygenation and reduce wheezing.
- Nutritional advice. Proper nutrition helps to maintain the lung mucosa and strengthen the immune system, which are vital in preventing exacerbation of the child's condition.
- Relaxation techniques. Relaxation techniques can decrease stress and anxiety associated with asthma, which can lead to fewer exacerbations.
Evaluation
The effectiveness of the care plan can be measured by observing changes in the child's respiratoiry status (improvement in oxygen saturation, reduction in wheezing and improved airway patency). Additionally, their nutrition and development in coping mechanisms should also be monitored to evaluate the effectiveness of the care plan.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the nursing care plan for pediatric asthma is designed to improve the child's airway clearance, nutrition, and coping skills. With proper management and education of the child, their quality of life and overall health can greatly improve.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- How often to follow up? Followup visits should be conducted every 3 to 6 months.
- Can exercise be beneficial for the asthmatic child? Exercise can be beneficial for an asthmatic child if their symptoms are well-controlled, as it can help to reduce the risk of exacerbations and improve their overall health.
- What other treatments are available? Other treatment options include pharmacological treatments, such as inhalers, nebulizers, and oral medications. Additionally, physical therapy, psychological interventions and lifestyle modifications may also be beneficial.
- What are the signs of an asthma attack? Signs of an asthma attack include shortness of breath, coughing, chest tightness, wheezing and difficulty speaking.
- When to seek medical help? If the child's symptoms are severe, then immediate medical attention should be sought.
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