Teaching and Learning Strategies for Patients and Family members of Essay

Teaching and Learning Strategies for Patients and Family members of Toddlers with Asthma - Essay Example From Koenig (2007), we are informed that in the United States children with asthma 4 years of age and younger are increasing and disproportionately affecting children who live in poverty and urban areas who are African American or Latino. Koenig (2007, p. 223) also informed us that that preventing, identifying, and controlling asthma symptoms â€Å"remains complex among children who are very young† although we certainly know more of the pathophysiology of asthma today compared to several years ago. Koenig (2007) pointed out that it is essential for health providers to inquire on the family constellations. This is relevant for training and learning because we have to identify the family members who are with the child most so a nurse can focus on them for teaching and learning activities when appropriate. We also learned from Koenig (2007) that parents and family members can be intimately familiar with a child’s distressed breathing and, because of this, nurses must have respectful stance on the parents’ and family members’ â€Å"expertise† in evaluating the severity of a child’s asthma attack. Koenig (2007) emphasized that other than education on symptom recognition and instructions on pharmacological intervention, there is s a need to develop collaboratively developed crisis management with family members or representatives in the event of an asthma attack.... We also learned from Koenig (2007) that parents and family members can be intimately familiar with a child’s distressed breathing and, because of this, nurses must have respectful stance on the parents’ and family members’ â€Å"expertise† in evaluating the severity of a child’s asthma attack. Koenig (2007) emphasized that other than education on symptom recognition and instructions on pharmacological intervention, there is s a need to develop collaboratively developed crisis management with family members or representatives in the event of an asthma attack. Based on the work of Diette et al. (2008) and Koenig (2007), it may be possible that low income groups are more vulnerable to asthma because of their exposure to poor environmental conditions and pollution. It follows therefore that the training and learning strategy must factor in the environmental situation confronted by the asthma patient and it also follows that the nurse must inquire into t he environmental conditions confronted by the asthma patient. Some of the risk factors for asthma include house dust mites, companion animal allergens, cockroaches, fungi, pollutants, and distress (Pedersen et al., 2011). The preventive strategies for asthma include avoiding exposure to atmospheric pollution, avoiding unnecessary use of antibiotics in young children, and providing a calm and nurturing environment (Pedersen et al., 11). Pedersen et al. (2011, pp. 9-14) provided a treatment strategy, a set of recommendations on the use of a home action plan for family and caregivers, and identified the situations where hospitalization are likely needed. Guidelines on Children with Asthma The US Department of Health and Human Services, through the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program, has developed a