Asthma & Reactive Airway Disease (RAD) treated in the Emergency Department

Transcription

1 1919 E. Thomas Rd. Phoenix, AZ Emergency Department Asthma & Reactive Airway Disease (RAD) treated in the Emergency Department What it is: Children with reactive airway disease (RAD) or asthma have a sensitive airway. When the airway becomes irritated by exercise or breathing in something that irritates the lungs, the airway gets smaller, swollen, and full of mucous. As the airways get tight, it becomes more difficult for air to move in and out. An asthma attack may last minutes to days and can happen at any time. It may even be life threatening. Symptoms include: shortness of breath cough wheezing chest tightness may occur Things that can trigger asthma or RAD include: colds and viruses pets dust pollen mold smoke odors exercise What to do: When wheezing starts, keep your child calm and playing quietly. Excitement and physical activity can make wheezing worse. Do not allow anyone to smoke around your child. Your child s doctor may prescribe medications to treat RAD or asthma. Use as directed. Avoid asthma and reactive airway triggers. Stay indoors when humidity, pollution, and pollen count is high. Use air conditioning in your home instead of opening the windows. Change the air conditioner filters often. If an inhaler or nebulizer was ordered, give the medication as directed. Danger Signs: If your child has trouble breathing, swallowing, is making squeaky noises when breathing, turns blue, or passes out call 911 right away.

2 Call your doctor right away or go to the Emergency Department if: your child has signs and symptoms of respiratory distress such as flaring nostrils, grunting, or the skin pulls between the ribs with each breath (retractions). your child is breathing fast or seems anxious. you have any other questions or concerns. Some illnesses are treated with medicine. If you want to know more about your child s medicine and how to give it, ask your pharmacist. The next medicine dose at home is due at: Now tell us: how you will care for your child. how you will know if there is a problem. what you will do if you find a problem. For more information, ask your nurse or doctor for these handouts: Asthma medicine #868 How to use your inhaler #29 How to care for your inhaler #103 Good Handwashing #100 You can also download our free mobile app: Our Journey with Asthma from your Google Play or Apple app store.

3 If you have any questions or concerns, r call your child s doctor or r call If you want to know more about child health and illness, visit our library at The Emily Center at Phoenix Children s Hospital 1919 East Thomas Road Phoenix, AZ Facebook: facebook.com/theemilycenter Disclaimer The information provided at this site is intended to be general information, and is provided for educational purposes only. It is not intended to take the place of examination, treatment, or consultation with a physician. Phoenix Children s Hospital urges you to contact your physician with any questions you may have about a medical condition. June 20, 2017 In family review #1229 Written by Lori Wertz, MN, RN, CPEN Updated with Triva Davis, RN, CPN and Kelleen Kennedy, RN, BSN, CPN Illustrated by Dennis Swain

4 Name of Health Care Provider: Date returned: r db Family Review of Handout Si usted desea esta información en español, por favor pídasela a su enfermero o doctor. #1229 Asthma and Reactive Ariway Disease (RAD) treated in the Emergency Department Health care providers: Please teach families with this handout. Families: Please let us know what you think of this handout. Would you say this handout is hard to read? r Yes r No easy to read? r Yes r No Please circle the parts of the handout that were hard to understand. Would you say this handout is interesting to read? r Yes r No Why or why not? Would you do anything differently after reading this handout? r Yes r No After reading this handout, do you have any questions about the subject? r Yes r No

5 Is there anything you don t like about the drawings? r Yes r No What changes would you make in this handout to make it better or easier to understand? Please return your review of this handout to your nurse or doctor or send it to the address below. The Emily Center Health Education Specialist Phoenix Children s Hospital 1919 East Thomas Road Phoenix, AZ Thank you for helping us!