Asthma - History and Examination course for Nurses

This is the first of two sessions on childhood asthma. It covers the non-acute clinical presentation of asthma, history taking and clinical examination. The second session covers investigation, assessment of acute presentation and considers the differential diagnosis. These sessions do not include treatment of asthma.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session you will be able to:

• Recognise the clinical presentation of paediatric asthma
• Explain the detailed history required to make a diagnosis
• Describe the examination of a child who may have asthma

Asthma is a condition characterised by inflammation and reversible airways obstruction, which causes dry cough and episodic wheeze. It is primarily an atopic condition.