Response to cardona

1.
 According to the case study information, how would you classify the severity of D.R. asthma attack?

 The severity of D.R. asthmatic episode would be classified as moderate persistent because his symptoms are occurring daily, he has had symptoms for 3 nights out of the 4 nights since the onset, and his PFE is from 65 to 70% of his baseline. D.R. onset of symptoms was 4 days ago, his peak flow expiratory rates have ranged from 65 to 70% of his regular baseline and he has been feeling nightly symptoms for 3 nights, in addition, his symptoms are not being relieved by the albuterol therapy.  “Asthma is a chronic pulmonary disease that is characterized by chronic airway inflammation and bronchial hyperresponsiveness” (Dlugasch & Story, 2020, p. 222). The Severity of the Asthma can be broken down into four categories: intermittent, mild persistent, moderate persistent and severe persistent. Factors that will differentiate the different types are daytime and nightime symptoms, peak expiratory flow rate and peak flow rate variability (Dlugasch & Story, 2020).

2. Name the most common triggers for asthma in any given patients and specify in your answer which ones you consider applied to D.R. on the case study.

Asthma could be triggered by:

· Being exposed to indoor or outdoor allergens that could be inhaled such as molds, dust and dust mites, pet dander, pollen or spores.

· An asthma attack could also be triggered by sensitivity to certain foods such as peanuts and shellfish.

· Irritants could also cause an asthma attack like cigarrete smoke, paint fumes, air pollution, aerosol sprays and some chemicals.

Dlugasch & Story (2020) argue asthma is triggered by the the innate and adaptive immune response to an exposure to an antigen or irritant on a previously sensitized individual. In addition, respiratory infections and exercise could enduce an asthma flare (Berger, 2008). Finally, other factors that could start a flare are wheather fluctuations, stress, hormonal changes, and medications such as aspirin, NSAIDs and beta blockers (Dlugasch & Story, 2020).

We don’t have enough information about patient D.R. but considering that he is a young person. His asthma attack could be started for an exposure to cigarrete smoke, some chemicals or practicing some exercise.

3. Based on your knowledge and your research, please explain the factors that might be the etiology of D.R. being an asthmatic patient.

How I mentioned before D.R. is a young adult with a prior history of asthma as evidenced by patient verbalization in his encounter to the Nurse Practitioner of history of albuterol use and peak flow rates measurements. (Dlugash and Story 2020) explain asthma attacks are usually consistent, thus there is high probability D.R. has experienced these symptoms before, only this time the medication is not working for him.