Treating Asthma: A Pharmacological Approach

This focused CE course provides nursing professionals with an in-depth understanding of the pharmacological management of asthma. It explores current evidence-based guidelines for asthma treatment and highlights the mechanisms, therapeutic roles, and safety profiles of the major classes of asthma medications.

Course content reviews inhaled corticosteroids, short-acting and long-acting beta-agonists, leukotriene modifiers, monoclonal antibodies, and combination therapies. Emphasis is placed on individualized treatment plans, stepwise therapy, monitoring for efficacy, and minimizing adverse drug effects. The course also addresses medication adherence, patient education, and the role of nurses in optimizing outcomes for patients with chronic asthma.

Participants will analyze case scenarios to strengthen their clinical decision-making skills in initiating, adjusting, and evaluating pharmacologic therapies. The importance of interprofessional collaboration and patient-centered care is reinforced throughout.

Learning Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Describe the pharmacological classes of asthma medications and their mechanisms of action.
• Differentiate between rescue and controller therapies and their appropriate use in clinical practice.
• Apply evidence-based guidelines to select appropriate pharmacologic interventions for varying levels of asthma severity.
• Identify common adverse effects and drug interactions associated with asthma medications.
• Develop patient education strategies to improve adherence, inhaler technique, and overall asthma management.

Course Completion Requirements:

To complete this CE course and receive full credit, participants must:

• Register for the course.
• Review all course materials.
• Complete the post-test with a passing score of 70% or higher.
• Submit a completed course evaluation.

Note: Some courses may include additional assignments or clinical case reviews

Important Disclosures:

• Conflict of Interest: The course planners, authors, and presenters have no financial or commercial conflicts of interest related to this educational activity.
• Commercial Support: This course has not received sponsorship or financial support from commercial entities.
• Non-Endorsement: Approval of this course as a continuing education activity does not imply endorsement of any products, services, or companies mentioned within the content.
• Off-Label Product Use: Any discussion of off-label medication use is clearly identified and supported by available evidence.