Asthma is a respiratory disorder that affects both children and adults. Advanced practice nurses often provide treatment to patients with asthma and must be able to distinguish minor symptoms from life-threatening ones. They also help patients identify triggers and recommend management options. There are various approaches to treating asthma depending on individual patient factors, including the stepwise approach, which provides a method for developing drug therapy plans using long-term control and quick relief treatment options.

1. Application: Asthma and Stepwise Management
Asthma is a respiratory disorder that affects children and adults.
Advanced practice nurses often provide treatment to patients
with these disorders. Sometimes patients require immediate
treatment making it essential that you recognize and distinguish
minor asthma symptoms from serious, life-threatening
symptoms. Since symptoms and attacks are often induced by a
trigger, advanced practice nurses must also help patients
identify their triggers and recommend appropriate management
options. Like many other disorders, there are various
approaches to treating and managing care for asthmatic patients
depending on individual patient factors. One method that
supports the clinical decision-making of drug therapy plans for
asthmatic patients is the stepwise approach, which you explore
in this Assignment.
To prepare:
Consider drugs used to treat asthmatic patients including long-
term control and quick relief treatment options for patients.
Think about the impact these drugs might have on patients
including adults and children.
Review Chapter 25 of the Arcangelo and Peterson text. Reflect
on using the stepwise approach to asthma treatment and
management.
Consider how stepwise management assists health care
providers and patients in gaining and maintaining control of the
disease.
To complete:
Write a 2- to 3- page paper that addresses the following:
Describe long-term control and quick relief treatment options
for asthma patients, as well as the impact these drugs might
have on patients.
Explain the stepwise approach to asthma treatment and
management.
Explain how stepwise management assists health care providers
and patients in gaining and maintaining control of the disease.

2. Readings
Arcangelo, V. P., & Peterson, A. M. (Eds.). (2013).
Pharmacotherapeutics for advanced practice: A practical
approach
(3rd ed.). Ambler, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Chapter 18, “Otitis Media and Otitis Externa” (pp. 217–227)
This chapter compares the causes and pathophysiology of two
common ear infections—otitis media and otitis externa. It also
identifies types of drugs used to treat these ear infections.
Chapter 24, “Upper Respiratory Infections” (pp. 332–345)
This chapter explores the causes, pathophysiology, and
diagnostic criteria of two upper respiratory infections—the
common cold and sinusitis—as well as drug therapy for both
infections. It also covers monitoring patient response and
patient education of drug therapy for these infections.
Chapter 25, “Asthma” (pp. 346–364)
This chapter examines the causes, pathophysiology,
pharmacogenomics, and diagnostic criteria of asthma. It also
outlines suggested drug therapy plans for asthmatic patients.
Chapter 26, “Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease” (pp.
366–374)
This chapter explains the causes and pathophysiology of chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It also examines the
process of selecting, administering, and managing drug therapy
for COPD patients.
Chapter 27, “Bronchitis and Pneumonia” (pp. 375–390)
This chapter begins by examining the causes, pathophysiology,
and diagnostic criteria of acute bronchitis, chronic bronchitis,
and community-acquired pneumonia. It then explores the
process of selecting, administering, and managing drug therapy
for patients with bronchitis and pneumonia.
Drugs.com. (2012). Retrieved from
http://www.drugs.com/
This website presents a comprehensive review of prescription
and over-the-counter drugs including information on common
uses and potential side effects. It also provides updates relating

3. to new drugs on the market, support from health professionals,
and a drug-drug interactions checker.
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. (2007).
Expert panel report 3 (EPR3): Guidelines for the diagnosis and
management of asthma
. Retrieved from
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/asthma/asthgdln.htm