Complications of asthma can be sudden. Consider the case of Bradley Wilson, a young boy who had several medical conditions. He appeared in good health when he went to school, returned home, and ate dinner. However, when he later went outside to play, he came back inside wheezing. An ambulance took him to the hospital where he was pronounced dead (Briscoe, 2012). In another case, 10-year-old Dynasty Reese, who had mild asthma, woke up in the middle of the night and ran to her grandfather’s bedroom to tell him she couldn’t breathe. By the time paramedics arrived, she had passed out and was pronounced dead at the hospital (Glissman, 2012). These situations continue to outline the importance of recognizing symptoms of asthma and providing immediate treatment, as well as distinguishing minor symptoms from serious, life-threatening symptoms. Since these symptoms and attacks are often induced by a trigger, as an advanced practice nurse, you must be able to help patients identify their triggers and recommend appropriate treatment options. For this reason, you need to understand the pathophysiological mechanisms of chronic asthma and acute asthma exacerbation.

To Prepare

• Review      “Asthma” in Chapter 27 of the Huether and McCance text. Identify the      pathophysiological mechanisms of chronic asthma and acute asthma      exacerbation. Consider how these disorders are similar and different.
• Select      one of the following factor: gender, ethnicity, or behavior. Think about      how the factor you selected might impact the pathophysiology of both disorders.      Reflect on how you would diagnose and prescribe treatment of these      disorders for a patient based on the factor you selected.
• Construct      two mind maps—one for chronic asthma and one for acute asthma      exacerbation. Consider the epidemiology and clinical presentation of both      chronic asthma and acute asthma exacerbation.

To Complete

Write a 2 pages paper that addresses the following:

• Describe      the pathophysiological mechanisms of chronic asthma and acute asthma      exacerbation. Be sure to explain the changes in the arterial blood gas      patterns during an exacerbation.
• Explain      how the factor you selected might impact the pathophysiology of both      disorders. Describe how you would diagnose and prescribe treatment for a      patient based on the factor you selected.
• Construct      two mind maps—one for chronic asthma and one for acute asthma exacerbation.      Include the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and clinical presentation, as      well as the diagnosis and treatment you explained in your paper.

**This paper should have Introduction (with a purpose statement) and Conclusion