School Nurse : Asthma Management in Schools

School nurses have an important role in managing asthma at school. Communication between students, parents and teachers will aid in controlling asthma symptoms. School nurses need to be familiar with potential asthma triggers in the school building and student’s Asthma Action Plans. Take the following steps to help manage each student’s asthma effectively.

At initial registration and the beginning of each school year, identify children with asthma.

Require a copy of a physician’s prescribed Asthma Action Plan from the families of each child with asthma at initial registration and each subsequent school year. The Asthma Action Plan should include the child’s asthma triggers, medication, emergency contact information and procedures to follow in the event of an asthma attack.
Keep asthma action plans organized along with medications for easy access during an asthma attack. Older students may carry self-administered medication such as inhalers, but younger children may need assistance.
Record any complaints of asthma symptoms in the child's health record. Describe the symptoms, the child’s behaviors, medicine given, and what caused the attack, if known. Report any observed asthma symptoms to parents on the same day symptoms occurred.
Keep accurate and current records of written authorization forms for self-administered medication. These are valid for one school year. The Indiana Chronic Disease Management website has a printable form that can be used: Permission to Carry Asthma Medications to School Contract
When a student has recurrent asthma symptoms in the classroom, work with parents, teachers and maintenance personnel to identify the trigger and reduce exposure to that trigger, such as mold, recent pesticide application, or tobacco smoke at the home.
Educate all staff members about asthma and the potential impact it can have on the health, safety, and learning of students.
Encourage teachers to refer students with questions about asthma to the school nurse.