What are potential goals in the treatment of a client with asthma?

In the context of managing asthma, the primary goal is to maintain airway patency. Asthma is characterized by airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness, leading to obstruction that can hinder airflow. Maintaining open airways is crucial for ensuring adequate ventilation and oxygenation, allowing the patient to breathe freely without obstruction.

When airway patency is effectively maintained, it minimizes the risk of asthma exacerbations, promotes better lung function, and improves overall quality of life for the patient. This involves appropriate use of medications such as bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory agents, as well as lifestyle modifications and avoidance of triggers.

While improvement of exercise tolerance, scheduled bronchodilator use, and addressing sleep apnea symptoms may be relevant aspects of asthma management, the foremost focus remains on ensuring that the airways are open and functioning effectively. This foundational goal allows for the realization of other beneficial outcomes, such as increased exercise capability and better sleep quality.