Childhood Asthma - Understanding childhood asthma (1/2)

Course Overview

Asthma affects millions of children worldwide. It is characterised by recurrent symptoms, such as wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, and chest tightness that arise as a result of inflammation and airway resistance. Asthma is associated with
significant childhood morbidity causing fatigue, reduced activity levels, impaired development, and poor social interaction.

This module explains the burden of asthma in children and the current guidelines for diagnosis. It discusses the challenges
associated with accurate diagnosis in children.

This module is part 1 of a 2 part course on childhood asthma:

1. Childhood Asthma - Understanding childhood asthma
2. Childhood Asthma - Management

This course has been written by healthcare content experts and has been peer reviewed.

Target Audience

Nurses

Learning Objectives

At the end of this course participants will:

1. Know what asthma is.
2. Be able to discuss the epidemiology of asthma in children.
3. Know the risk factors for childhood asthma.
4. Be able to explain the diagnostic criteria for asthma.
5. Know what variable airflow limitation, spirometry, and lung function testing is.

Business Outcomes

This 2 part course provides the foundation learning for any nurse working with children. It is consistent with the current best available evidence and practice guidelines.