In this guide are eight (8) NANDA nursing diagnosis for asthma nursing care plans including their nursing assessment and interventions. Learn more about the goals, related factors and rationale for each nursing interventions for asthma.
What is asthma?
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes airway hyperresponsiveness, mucus production, and mucosal edema resulting in reversible airflow obstruction. Allergens, air pollutants, cold weather, physical exertion, strong odors, and medications are common predisposing factors for asthma. When an individual is exposed to a trigger, an immediate inflammatory response with bronchospasm happens. This inflammatory process leads to recurrent episodes of asthmatic symptoms such as cough, dyspnea, wheezing, and increased mucus production.
Status asthmaticus is severe and persistent asthma that does not respond to usual therapy; attacks can occur with little or no warning and can progress rapidly to asphyxiation.
Nursing Care Plans
The nursing care plan goals for asthma focuses on preventing the hypersensitivity reaction, controlling the allergens, maintaining airway patency and preventing the occurrence of reversible complications.
Here are eight (8) nursing care plans and nursing diagnosis for asthma:
- Ineffective Breathing Pattern
- Ineffective Airway Clearance
- Deficient Knowledge
- Anxiety
- Activity Intolerance
- Health-Seeking Behaviors: Prevention of Asthma Attack
- Interrupted Family Processes
- Fatigue
Anxiety
Nursing Diagnosis
- Anxiety
Related Factors
Common related factors for this nursing diagnosis:
- Change in the environment
- Change in health status
- Loss of control
- Hypoxia
- Respiratory distress
Defining Characteristics
The common assessment cues that could serve as defining characteristics or part of your “as evidenced by” in your diagnostic statement.
- Apprehensiveness
- Dyspnea
- Frequent request for someone to be in the room
- Restlessness
- Tachycardia
- Tachypnea
Desired Outcomes
Common goals and expected outcomes:
- Patient will use an effective coping mechanism.
- Patient will verbalize a reduction in level of anxiety experienced.
- Patient will demonstrate reduced anxiety as evidenced by a calm demeanor and cooperative behavior.
Nursing Interventions and Rationales
Here are the nursing assessment and interventions for this seizure nursing care plan.
| Nursing Interventions | Rationale |
|---|---|
| Nursing Assessment | |
| Assess for signs of anxiety:
| Asthma can become much worse with anxiety since it causes rapid, shallow breathing. |
| Assess theophylline levels. | Therapeutic range of theophylline is between 10 to 20 mcg/mL. Theophylline causes increases anxiety. |
| Monitor oxygen saturation. | Increase anxiety may indicate an early sign of hypoxia. |
| Therapeutic Interventions | |
| Provide comfort measures:
| Maintaining calmness will reduce oxygen consumption and the work of breathing. |
| Explain every procedure to the client in a simple and concise manner. | Client’s anxiety will decrease as he or she can understand the treatment regimen. |
| Ensure to update the significant others of the client’s progress. | Family’s anxiety can be easily transferred to the client. Giving off information to them can help relieve apprehension. |
| Stay with the client, and encourage slow, deep breathing. Assure the client and significant others of close, consistent monitoring that will ensure prompt intervention. | The presence of a trusted reliable person may give the client a sense of security. |
| Encourage the use of relaxation techniques:
| Relaxation techniques are an effective way of decreasing anxiety. |
Recommended Resources
Recommended nursing diagnosis and nursing care plan books and resources.
Disclosure: Included below are affiliate links from Amazon at no additional cost from you. We may earn a small commission from your purchase. For more information, check out our privacy policy.
- Nursing Care Plans: Nursing Diagnosis and Intervention (10th Edition)
An awesome book to help you create and customize effective nursing care plans. We highly recommend this book for its completeness and ease of use. - Nurse’s Pocket Guide: Diagnoses, Prioritized Interventions and Rationales
A quick-reference tool to easily select the appropriate nursing diagnosis to plan your patient’s care effectively. - NANDA International Nursing Diagnoses: Definitions & Classification, 2021-2023 (12th Edition)
The official and definitive guide to nursing diagnoses as reviewed and approved by the NANDA-I. This book focuses on the nursing diagnostic labels, their defining characteristics, and risk factors – this does not include nursing interventions and rationales. - Nursing Diagnosis Handbook, 12th Edition Revised Reprint with 2021-2023 NANDA-I® Updates
Another great nursing care plan resource that is updated to include the recent NANDA-I updates. - Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5(TM))
Useful for creating nursing care plans related to mental health and psychiatric nursing. - Ulrich & Canale’s Nursing Care Planning Guides, 8th Edition
Claims to have the most in-depth care plans of any nursing care planning book. Includes 31 detailed nursing diagnosis care plans and 63 disease/disorder care plans. - Maternal Newborn Nursing Care Plans (3rd Edition)
If you’re looking for specific care plans related to maternal and newborn nursing care, this book is for you. - Nursing Diagnosis Manual: Planning, Individualizing, and Documenting Client Care (7th Edition)
An easy-to-use nursing care plan book that is updated with the latest diagnosis from NANDA-I 2021-2023. - All-in-One Nursing Care Planning Resource: Medical-Surgical, Pediatric, Maternity, and Psychiatric-Mental Health (5th Edition)
Definitely an all-in-one resources for nursing care planning. It has over 100 care plans for different nursing topics.
See Also
Other recommended site resources for this nursing care plan:
- Nursing Care Plans (NCP): Ultimate Guide and Database
Over 150+ nursing care plans for different diseases and conditions. Includes our easy-to-follow guide on how to create nursing care plans from scratch. - Nursing Diagnosis Guide and List: All You Need to Know to Master Diagnosing
Our comprehensive guide on how to create and write diagnostic labels. Includes detailed nursing care plan guides for common nursing diagnostic labels.
Other nursing care plans related to respiratory system disorders:
- Asthma | 8 Care Plans
- Bronchiolitis | 5 Care Plans
- Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) | 5 Care Plans
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) | 7 Care Plans
- Cystic Fibrosis | 5 Care Plans
- Hemothorax and Pneumothorax | 3 Care Plans
- Influenza (Flu) | 5 Care Plans
- Lung Cancer | 5 Care Plans
- Mechanical Ventilation | 6 Care Plans
- Near-Drowning | 5 Care Plans
- Pleural Effusion | 6 Care Plans
- Pneumonia | 11 Care Plans
- Pulmonary Embolism | 4 Care Plans
- Pulmonary Tuberculosis | 5 Care Plans
- Tracheostomy | 5 Care Plans
References and Sources
The following are the references and sources for the nursing diagnosis and nursing care plan for asthma:
- Ackley, B. J., Ladwig, G. B., Msn, R. N., Makic, M. B. F., Martinez-Kratz, M., & Zanotti, M. (2019). Nursing Diagnosis Handbook E-Book: An Evidence-Based Guide to Planning Care. Mosby. [Link]
- Carpenito-Moyet, L. J. (2006). Handbook of nursing diagnosis. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. [Link]
- Joyce, B. M., & Jane, H. H. (2008). Medical surgical nursing. Clinical management for positive outcome. Volume 1. Eight Edition. Saunders Elsevier. St. Louis. Missouri. [Link]
- Pellico, L. H., Bautista, C., & Esposito, C. (2012). Focus on adult health medical-surgical nursing. [Link]
- Yang, B. H., Chen, Y. C., Chiang, B. L., & Chang, Y. C. (2005). Effects of nursing instruction on asthma knowledge and quality of life in schoolchildren with asthma. The journal of nursing research: JNR, 13(3), 174-183. [Read Abstract]
I now know how to tackle nursing care plans
This is so easy.one can just come here and retrieve whatever nursing diagnosis is needed.thanks for making the work easy.
I really like coming here for my class. The only thing is I wish that it had a cite button but all is good. Thank you
You guys have a great help. Thanks a lot
Thank you soo much. How do i save for offline reading
Wow thank u so much, your making nursing process easy for me
This site is extremely helpful.. is there any application because it’s more easy to use if there any application available
UMAYGAD! THIS IS A BIG HELP ESPECIALLY FOR MY FELLOW NURSING STUDENTS
These are soo good, very educative and understandable! 😘
Thanks so much for making things easy 🤜🤛