Exacerbation of Asthma: Pathophysiology and Interventions

Running head: EXACERBATION OF ASTHMA
Exacerbation of asthma
Name of the student
University name
Author’s note

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EXACERBATION OF ASTHMA
Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................2
Brief summary of the patient’s current health problem.............................................................2
Relevant history and specific early management plan...............................................................4
Ethical requirements...................................................................................................................5
Explanation of underlying pathophysiology related to acute respiratory failure.......................5
Interventions...............................................................................................................................7
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................8
References..................................................................................................................................9

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EXACERBATION OF ASTHMA
Introduction
The current assignment focuses upon understanding the deep seated pathophysiology
associated acute respiratory distress or failure. In this respect, developing a knowledge
regarding the pathophysiology can help in the development of effective preventive measures
as well as design a sound care plan. The pathophysiology here mainly focuses upon the
aetiology and the causes of a disease. Therefore, understanding the pathophysiology helps in
understanding the origin as well as identifies the genetic roots for the development of a
disease within the patient population (Villar et al. 2014). It has been observed that most of the
times the environment along with the genetic factors contributes towards the development of
a disease (Khemani et al. 2015). Therefore, a detailed knowledge of the pathophysiology
helps to take into consideration all these factors and the different levels of expression
produced by them. In the current study, a particular case study has been taken into
consideration. Based upon the conditions and the symptoms presented by the patient, the
underlying pathophsyiology has been accessed.
Brief summary of the patient’s current health problem
Here, the patient is a 66 year old man Harry suffering from acute respiratory distress
owing to which he had been admitted to the hospital. The respiratory distress emerged due to
exacerbation of asthmatic conditions within the patient. As mentioned by Pediatric Acute
Lung Injury Consensus Conference Group (2015), the falling of the SpO2 below 90% for
longer periods of time could lead to medical emergency as the patient is unable to respire
normally. In case the patient is left untreated for longer periods of time it could lead to
respiratory failure and eventually death (Mac Sweeney and McAuley 2016). As mentioned by
Lemiale et al. (2015), with failure of the respiratory system, the neurological system will fail
and the mental status of the patient deteriorates.

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EXACERBATION OF ASTHMA
Here, the patient Harry was diagnosed with PaO2 less than 60 mm of Hg without
elevated CO2 level. In this respect, urgent resuscitation had to be provided to the patient,
which involves airway control, ventilator management and stabilization of the circulation. In
this respect, a therapeutic plan needs to be developed for the patient based on informed
clinical and laboratory examination (Pediatric Acute Lung Injury Consensus Conference
Group 2015). The laboratory examination confirmed exacerbation of asthma within the
patient. The tests which were conducted upon the patients were a chest x- ray followed by a
sputum tests. The chest x-ray depicted shrunken alveoli which signified the presence of
chronic respiratory distress within the patient, whereas the sputum test signified the presence
of viral infection. The viral infection further worsened the asthmatic conditions of the patient
(Lemiale et al. 2015).
The current health condition of the e patient could be further accessed with the help of
an ABCDE approach. Here, A refers to Airway, B refers to breathing, C refers to circulation,
D refers to disability and E refers to exposure. These could be accessed within the patient to
understand the current health condition.
Factors assessment
Airway  Diminished breathing sounds noted in the patient
 See –saw breathing noted
Breathing  Falling respiratory rate in the context of hypoxia sign of
impending respiratory failure
 reduced air entry is suggestive of airway compromise
Circulation  Pulse- 120 beats/min; blood pressure- 92/60 mm Hg
Disability  Falling level of consciousness suggests severe hypoxia within
the patient
Exposure  Red coloured rashes developed on the skin surface of the patient
which could suggest possible viral infections of the upper
respiratory tract
ABCDE assessment of patient condition
(Source: Author)