Journal of Community Nursing (JCN) | February 2018

Back to journal

Adult asthma: what community nurses should know

Adult asthma: what community nurses should know
Respiratory

Article topics: Assessment, Diagnosis, evidence-based guidelines, Management

Asthma is a common lung condition affecting many patients in the community. Nurses are pivotal in the diagnosis and management of people with both stable disease and during acute flare-ups. Asthma reviews offer opportunities to build therapeutic relationships and optimise treatment, helping patients to recognise and plan management of an asthma attack. On average, three people die of asthma every day in the UK - a stark statistic which should encourage nurses to be forever watchful of opportunities to regularly review the evidence base and produce patient-centred care. This article focuses on the management of chronic adult asthma, at diagnosis, management, and briefly touches on assessment of the acute exacerbation. They key differences between the asthma guidelines of the British Thoracic Society/Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (BTS/SIGN, 2016) and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE, 2017) guidelines, which are currently in use in the UK, are presented for reader consideration. 


To continue reading, please login:

Login Widget - promo

Login for access to journal content, watch live webinars, to book JCN roadshows and more...
 

New here?