Asthma

Learners with a history of breathing difficulties, including asthma/wheezing, may have an emergency action plan. School nurses may delegate interventions to paraprofessionals and other unlicensed personnel to intervene when the school nurse is unavailable.

Signs and Symptoms

A student with asthma/wheezing may have signs and symptoms including, but not limited to:

• Uncontrollable coughing
• Wheezing – a high-pitched sound during breathing out
• Rapid breathing
• Flaring (widening) of nostrils
• Stating that they are feeling tightness in the chest.
• Not able to speak in full sentences
• Increased use of stomach and chest muscles during breathing

Actions

1. Does the student have an Emergency Action Plan?
   1. Yes: Refer to the student’s action plan:
      1. Remain calm. Encourage the student to breathe slowly and deeply through the nose and out through the mouth.
      2. Practice Universal precautions.
      3. Administer interventions as outlined in the Emergency Action Plan.
      4. Remain with the student until help arrives.
      5. If symptoms do not improve, call 911.
      6. Wash your hands.
      7. Document the date and time, any delegated interventions provided, observations, the student response to intervention (if applicable), and your signature and credentials.
      8. Follow any additional school or program procedure
      9. Debrief with the school nurse
   2. No: Call 911
      1. Notify the school nurse, school leadership, and parents immediately.
      2. Practice universal precautions.
      3. Remain with the student until help arrives.
      4. Wash your hands.
      5. Document the date and time, any delegated interventions provided, observations, student response to intervention (if applicable), and your signature and credentials (if applicable).
      6. Follow any additional school or program procedure(s).
      7. Debrief with the school nurse.