New Providence School District Asthma Education for School Staff Carol McCabe, R.N. Jan Miller, R.N. Trish Kalinger, R.N.

N.J.S.A. 18A: mandates annual asthma education for teaching staff. N.J.S.A. 18A: mandates annual asthma education for teaching staff. The following program fulfills the above requirement.

Overview Asthma Basics Asthma Basics How to help students control asthma How to help students control asthma –Be prepared –Reduce triggers –Recognize symptoms –Understand medications How to handle an asthma emergency How to handle an asthma emergency Other classroom issues Other classroom issues –Exercise and asthma Resources Resources

Asthma Basics What is asthma? What is asthma? –Chronic lung condition that causes breathing problems (asthma attacks) –Manageable disease Who has asthma? Who has asthma? –4.8 million children in the US –Level of severity varies from student to student

Asthma Basics (cont.) What happens during an asthma attack? What happens during an asthma attack? –Airways in lungs become smaller; extra mucus in airways can further block air –Symptoms include: coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath What can trigger an asthma attack? What can trigger an asthma attack? –Respiratory illness, allergens, weather, irritants, emotions, exercise –Students may have different triggers

Asthma Basics (cont.)

How to Help Students Control Asthma: Be Prepared! Review student’s asthma treatment plan Review student’s asthma treatment plan –Contact information –Student’s triggers –Asthma symptoms –Use of medications –Treatment plan Know how to access student’s asthma medications Know how to access student’s asthma medications

How to Help Students Control Asthma: Reduce Triggers Animals Animals –Remove, isolate, keep cages clean Cockroaches and other pests Cockroaches and other pests –Look for signs; do not leave food, water or garbage exposed; remove pest pathways and shelters; and use pest control products Mold Mold Second-hand smoke Second-hand smoke Dust mites Dust mites –Regularly clean floors, upholstered furniture, pillows, etc. Inhaled chemical exposure Inhaled chemical exposure –Use safer alternatives for felt-tip pens, cleaning materials and art supplies

How to Help Students Control Asthma: Recognize Symptoms Know student’s early warning signs, for example: Know student’s early warning signs, for example: –Coughing –Stuffy or runny nose –Fatigue –Agitation –Irritability Know student’s asthma attack signs, for example: Know student’s asthma attack signs, for example: –Becoming anxious or scared –Wheezing while breathing –Incessant coughing –Tightness in chest –Shortness of breath –Sweaty, clammy skin

How to Help Students Control Asthma: Understand Medications Preventive medications taken daily Preventive medications taken daily –e.g., Azmacort, Flovent, Singulair, Intal Rescue medications to treat and relieve symptoms as needed Rescue medications to treat and relieve symptoms as needed –e.g., Ventolin, Proventil, Maxair Using a metered dose inhaler/peak flow meter Using a metered dose inhaler/peak flow meter Understand the possible side effects Understand the possible side effects

How to Handle an Asthma Emergency Contact the school nurse Contact the school nurse Allow access to medications as directed by the student’s Asthma Treatment Plan Allow access to medications as directed by the student’s Asthma Treatment Plan Encourage student to relax and take slow, deep breaths Encourage student to relax and take slow, deep breaths Always have someone accompany the student with asthma symptoms when going to the office or nurse’s office Always have someone accompany the student with asthma symptoms when going to the office or nurse’s office

How to Handle an Asthma Emergency (cont.) Call 911 if: Call 911 if: –No improvement minutes after initial treatment with medication –Medications are not available and student has signs of asthma attack –Lips or nail beds turn gray or blue (students with light complexions) –Paling of lips or nail beds (students with dark complexions) –Decreasing or loss of consciousness

Other Classroom Issues Asthma and physical activity Asthma and physical activity  Have student take medication before activity  Provide warm-up and cool-down activities  Adjust activity as necessary  Monitor student Develop clear, fair procedure for handling missed schoolwork Develop clear, fair procedure for handling missed schoolwork

Resources Websites Websites – – – – * Based on Asthma Management In Educational Settings from the American Lung Association of Washington