| Assessment questions | | Focus on: | | Concerns | | Quality of life | | Expectations | | Goals of treatment | | Ask relevant questions from previous visit and also ask: | | "What worries you most about your asthma?" | | "What do you want to accomplish at this visit?" | | "What do you want to be able to do that you can't do now because of your asthma?" | | "What do you expect from treatment?" | | "What medications have you tried?" | | "What other questions do you have for me today?" | | | Information | | Teach in simple language: | | What is asthma? | | A chronic lung disease. The airways are very sensitive. They become inflamed and narrow; breathing becomes difficult. | | Asthma treatments: two types of medicines are needed: | | Long-term control: medications that prevent symptoms, often by reducing inflammation | | Quick relief: short-acting bronchodilator relaxes muscles around airways | | Bring all medications to every appointment. | | When to seek medical advice. Provide appropriate telephone number. | | | Skills | | Teach and demonstrate: | | Inhaler and spacer/holding chamber use. Check performance. | | Self-monitoring skills that are tied to an action plan: | | Recognize intensity and frequency of asthma symptoms | | Review the signs of deterioration and the need to reevaluate therapy: | | Waking at night with asthma | | Increased medication use | | Decreased activity tolerance | | Use of a simple, written self-management plan | |
