ATTENTION TREATMENT FOR ASTHMA
Asthma is a chronic lung disease that is characterized by attacks of difficult breathing. Asthma can be
aggravated by allergy to pollen or dust, viral illness, cold, emotions, or exercise.
SIGNS OR SYMPTOMS of an asthma attack may include:
Coughing Tightness in chest Restlessness
Wheezing Gasping for air
Prolonged expiration Color changes (pale or blue).
DETERMINE SEVERITY OF ASTHMA ATTACK AND PROCEED ACCORDINGLY:
1. Reassure student by your tone of voice, your attitude of being able to manage, your confidence. All
those qualities are catching. The child will take cues from you and relax. ****KEEP CALM****
2. Administer inhaler as prescribed. Attempt to keep him/her calm and breathing slowly and deeply.
3. Student should respond to treatment within 15 - 20 minutes.
4. If NO change or breathing becomes significantly worse, contact parent immediately.
Most asthma attacks can be successfully managed in this manner.
INHALER TREATMENT: A metered dose inhaler is a device to give medication directly into the lungs.
If symptoms of an attack are present or student states he/she feels an attack coming on, Administer school
asthma medications as directed:
1. Have student sit up right.
2. Remove cap and hold inhaler upright with mouthpiece below chamber & Shake well.
3. Have student tilt head slightly back and breathe out.
4. Position inhaler one to two inches from mouth or use spacer.
5. Press down on the inhaler to release medication (you will hear a hissing noise) and have the student
breathe in slowly and deeply (3 to 5 seconds). This is referred to as a PUFF.
6. Have student hold breath for 10 seconds to allow medication to stay in lungs.
7. Wait one minute between prescribed puffs. Repeat as directed.
8. Have student remain sitting until all symptoms subside (can be up to 15 minutes).
9. Student may repeat two puffs of Albuterol 20 minutes after the first dose if relief is not obtained.
10. Document treatment on log.
11. Have student return to class if symptoms are relieved
If you feel he/she is getting rapidly worse and you have exhausted the suggested
treatment. Call for emergency assistance (911) OR
If any of the symptoms below are present and no Albuterol is available:
1. If No improvement 15-20 minutes after initial Albuterol treatment and parents cannot be reached.
2. If Child has difficulty breathing including:
3. If Chest and neck pulled in with breathing
4. If Child is hunched over
CALL 911
5. If Child is struggling to breathe
6. If Child has trouble walking or talking IMMEDIATELY
7. If Child is unable to resume regular activities
8. If Child is unable to stay alert, becomes unconscious
9. If Child collapses
10. If Lips or fingernails are gray or blue
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