Focus on: - Concerns
- Quality of life
- Social needs
- Expectations
- Goals of treatment
- "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?"
- "Do you have any concerns related to costs of medications?"
- "Do you have any housing or transportation concerns?"
- "What other questions do you have for me today?"
| 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.
| 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
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