• There will be no take-home final.
• Assignments 4 and 5 are now due Monday, April 12, instead of Friday, April 9.
• In order to make up the point difference that is lost when the take home final is dropped, assignments 4 and 5 will have their point values increased.
• The children's literature assignment is now worth 10 points.
• The letter home to parents assignment is now worth 20 points.
• Exam 2 is still April 23.
• Assignments will be returned on April 26.
• There will be class on April 28.
• There will not be class on April 30.

Lecture Notes:
ASTHMA

• Asthma is a condition of the airways characterized by a limitation of the flow into and out of the lungs.
• The limitation causes symptoms that include the following:
  a.) coughing
  b.) tightness in the chest
  c.) shortness of breath
  d.) chest pain
  e.) wheezing

• A high-pitched sound that people with asthma sometimes make when they breathe air into the lungs, and especially when they exhale.
• Some asthma episodes can be fatal.
• Asthma symptoms occur when the child is exposed to environmental sensitivities or foods.
• Most asthma attacks happen in the spring or fall.
• Most children with asthma have allergies to allergens in the air:
  a.) pollens
  b.) mold spores
  c.) pet dander
  d.) molds
  e.) microscopic dust mites
• Episodes or attacks can be triggered by lots of different things:
  a.) colds
  b.) exercise
  c.) cigarette smoke
  d.) paint and cleaning fumes
  e.) emotions
  f.) pollutants
• What kinds of things in the school environment might trigger an episode?
• chalk dust, dust, dust mites
• animal dander (especially cats and dogs)
• some types of physical activity
• chocolate, eggs, orange juice, peanuts
• You should not limit school activities for most students with asthma.

• Asthma symptoms can be prevented by reducing the student's exposure to identified allergens and irritants.  For example, keep furred animals out of the classroom.
• If school personel are familiar with the symptoms of asthma, they may be able to recognize the early stages of exacberations when they occur.
• Prompt treatment of episodes will prevent them from becoming severe and also will help a child to return quickly to his or her school activities.
• A written plan for managing a child's asthma should be submitted by the parents and the child's physician.  It should be kept in school records with copies made available to teachers.
• School districts should have some mechanism in place for reporting the procedure to the parents when a child experiences symptoms of asthma and needs treatment.
• School nurses may find that using a peak flow meter is helpful in assessing severity of episodes and response to medication.

• Medication: relievers and preventers
• Bronchodilator inhalers are called relievers.  They are used on an as needed basis to relieve symptoms.
• Preventer medications include inhaled corticosteroids that are used on a daily basis for long periods of time to provide long term control and to prevent episodes.
• Since most preventer medications are given at home, the only medications usually needed at school is the reliever bronchodilator inhaler.
• Students should have access to the mediations they need, so check the school policy to see if it allows students to carry the medications with them.

• Every child with asthma or allergies who may need to take medication in school should have a student action card that describes the following:
• the child's medication
• factors that can bring an attack on or allergic symptoms
• phone numbers for the physician and the parents
• explicit directions on what to do if the child experiences an episode at school
• typical signs or symptoms indicating a medical emergency
• hospital preference