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 | |