Student Readiness Assessment Tool

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Having immediate access to quick-relief medicine is critical for people with asthma. The purpose of this tool is to create a standardized process for designated school personnel to use in order to determine a child’s readiness to self-carry a quick-relief inhaler during the school day. This assessment takes place once the student, the parent and provider have agreed that the student is ready to self-carry. There are four areas of competencies that designated school personnel should assess at the beginning of each school year for each student with a diagnosis of asthma. Each of the four areas of knowledge and skills has a series of questions to ask the student and possible responses. Use this tool to help you identify a student’s capabilities and areas that need improvement. Make a plan to work with the student throughout the school year to build the knowledge and skills to self-carry and use a quick-relief inhaler during the school day.

For more information, see the American Lung Association’s course, “Assessing a Student’s Readiness to Carry and Use a Quick-Relief Inhaler” at lung.training

Section 1: Basic Understanding of Asthma
The student should have a basic understanding of asthma.

1 = Does Not Understand

2 = Somewhat Understands

3 = Completely Understands

What part of your body is affected by asthma? Can you show me? What is this part of the body called?
The lungs

What do the lungs do?
They help you breathe. They move air in and out of the body.

What happens to your lungs when you’re having symptoms?
It’s hard to breathe; the muscles squeeze tight; the insides of the airways swell; the airways fill with mucus.

What can you do to keep from getting asthma symptoms?
Avoid or limit exposure to the things that bother your lungs; taking daily controller medicines as prescribed by doctor.

What does it mean to have asthma under control?
I would not have symptoms when I do the things I want to do; I could do anything that my friends without asthma can do.

Section 2: Understanding of Symptoms and Asthma Management
Recognizing signs and symptoms can help people with asthma take the necessary steps to prevent an asthma episode. The student should be able to recognize asthma symptoms and the steps to treat them.

1 = Does Not Understand

2 = Somewhat Understands

3 = Completely Understands

What are the signs you have before your asthma symptoms begin?
Most people have early warning signs that may occur hours before symptoms appear, such as: feeling tired; needing to clear throat often; sore or itchy throat; dry mouth; fever; feeling nervous, grumpy, or upset; rapid heartbeat; stuffy nose or head; restlessness; rubbing chin or throat repeatedly.

What are your asthma symptoms?
Asthma symptoms vary from one person to the next but may include: coughing; wheezing; feeling of tightness in the chest.

What should you do if you are having asthma symptoms?
Response should include: notifying an adult; taking asthma medicine; resting; doing relaxation exercises.

(Optional, will not affect score if not used) How do you measure your breathing with a peak flow meter?
Response should include a series of steps. Refer to the How to Use a Peak Flow Meter video and download the instructions.

Section 3: Using Asthma Medications
Understanding and using asthma medicines is a critical component to the overall treatment of asthma. The student should be able to describe the medicine they use to treat their asthma and demonstrate correct inhaler technique.

1 = Does Not Understand

2 = Somewhat Understands

3 = Completely Understands

Describe your asthma medications and how to use them.
Use this as an opportunity to verify that the student understands the different types of medicines to treat asthma [i.e., long-term control medicine vs. quick-relief medicine]. Response should include: the names of the medicines they take to treat their asthma, how much to take, and when to take them. Refer to the student’s asthma action plan for their individualized treatment plan.

Demonstrate how to use your quick-relief medication and after care.
Response should include a series of steps. Refer to the How to Use a Metered-dose Inhaler video and download the instructions.

(Optional, will not affect score if not used) Demonstrate how to use long-term control medication and after care.
Response should include a series of steps. Refer to the American Lung Association’s asthma medication page to identify the correct inhaler and coordinating instructions.

What does it mean if you use your quick-relief medicine more than twice per week? Who should you tell and why?
It means my asthma is not in good control. I should tell my parents and the school nurse, so we can tell the doctor and get the help I need to be active and healthy.

Section 4: Avoiding or Limiting Asthma Triggers
Managing exposure to triggers can greatly reduce the need for asthma medicines. The student should be able to articulate their asthma triggers and strategies to avoid or limit their exposure to them.

1 = Does Not Understand

2 = Somewhat Understands

3 = Completely Understands

Can you show me (by pointing to a trigger graphic) the things that make breathing difficult for you?
Asthma triggers vary from person to person but may include: respiratory infections such as a cold; exercise; irritants; allergens; smoke from tobacco, wood, or car exhaust; changes in weather; and/or strong emotions. Refer to Lung.org/asthmatriggers for more details.

What can you do about [trigger] to avoid it or limit your time near it?
Managing exposure to triggers can greatly reduce the need for asthma medicines. For example, if the trigger is cold air, an appropriate response may be wearing scarf over your nose and mouth to the warm the air you breathe in. If the trigger is exercise, an appropriate response may be to take quick-relief medicine before exercise.

Score

Please provide a score for each applicable question.

Student Readiness Assessment Results Reset Print Results

Student Name: _____________________________________

Date of Assessment: _______________________________

Assessed By: ______________________________________

For more information, see the American Lung Association’s course, “Assessing a Student’s Readiness to Carry and Use a Quick-Relief Inhaler” at https://lung.training

Section 1: Basic Understanding of Asthma
The student should have a basic understanding of asthma

0 = Does Not Understand

5 = Somewhat Understands

10 = Completely Understands

What part of your body is affected by asthma? Can you show me? What is this part of the body called?
The lungs

What do the lungs do?
They help you breathe. They move air in and out of the body.

What happens to your lungs when you’re having symptoms?
It’s hard to breathe; the muscles squeeze tight; the insides of the airways swell; the airways fill with mucus.

What can you do to keep from getting asthma symptoms?
Avoid or limit exposure to the things that bother your lungs; taking daily controller medicines as prescribed by doctor.

What does it mean to have asthma under control?
I would not have symptoms when I do the things I want to do; I could do anything that my friends without asthma can do.

Section 2: Understanding of Symptoms and Asthma Management
Recognizing signs and symptoms can help people with asthma take the necessary steps to prevent an asthma episode. The student should be able to recognize asthma symptoms and the steps to treat them.

0 = Does Not Understand

5 = Somewhat Understands

10 = Completely Understands

What are your asthma symptoms?
Asthma symptoms vary from one person to the next but may include: coughing; wheezing; feeling of tightness in the chest.

What should you do if you are having asthma symptoms?
Response should include: notifying an adult; taking asthma medicine; resting; doing relaxation exercises.

Section 3: Using Asthma Medications
Understanding and using asthma medicines is a critical component to the overall treatment of asthma. The student should be able to describe the medicine they use to treat their asthma and demonstrate correct inhaler technique.

0 = Does Not Understand

5 = Somewhat Understands

10 = Completely Understands

Demonstrate how to use your quick-relief medication and after care.
Response should include a series of steps. Refer to the How to Use a Metered-dose Inhaler video and download the instructions.

Add new question: What does it mean if you use your quick-relief medicine more than twice per week? Who should you tell and why?
It means my asthma is not in good control. I should tell my parents and the school nurse, so we can tell the doctor and get the help I need to be active and healthy.

Section 4: Avoiding or Limiting Asthma Triggers
Managing exposure to triggers can greatly reduce the need for asthma medicines. The student should be able to articulate their asthma triggers and strategies to avoid or limit their exposure to them.

0 = Does Not Understand

5 = Somewhat Understands

10 = Completely Understands

Reset Print Results

Student Readiness Assessment Tool

Section 1: Basic Understanding of Asthma The student should have a basic understanding of asthma.

Section 2: Understanding of Symptoms and Asthma Management Recognizing signs and symptoms can help people with asthma take the necessary steps to prevent an asthma episode. The student should be able to recognize asthma symptoms and the steps to treat them.

Section 3: Using Asthma Medications Understanding and using asthma medicines is a critical component to the overall treatment of asthma. The student should be able to describe the medicine they use to treat their asthma and demonstrate correct inhaler technique.

Section 4: Avoiding or Limiting Asthma Triggers Managing exposure to triggers can greatly reduce the need for asthma medicines. The student should be able to articulate their asthma triggers and strategies to avoid or limit their exposure to them.

Section 1: Basic Understanding of AsthmaThe student should have a basic understanding of asthma

Section 2: Understanding of Symptoms and Asthma ManagementRecognizing signs and symptoms can help people with asthma take the necessary steps to prevent an asthma episode. The student should be able to recognize asthma symptoms and the steps to treat them.

Section 3: Using Asthma Medications Understanding and using asthma medicines is a critical component to the overall treatment of asthma. The student should be able to describe the medicine they use to treat their asthma and demonstrate correct inhaler technique.

Section 4: Avoiding or Limiting Asthma Triggers Managing exposure to triggers can greatly reduce the need for asthma medicines. The student should be able to articulate their asthma triggers and strategies to avoid or limit their exposure to them.

Section 1: Basic Understanding of Asthma
The student should have a basic understanding of asthma.

Section 2: Understanding of Symptoms and Asthma Management
Recognizing signs and symptoms can help people with asthma take the necessary steps to prevent an asthma episode. The student should be able to recognize asthma symptoms and the steps to treat them.

Section 3: Using Asthma Medications
Understanding and using asthma medicines is a critical component to the overall treatment of asthma. The student should be able to describe the medicine they use to treat their asthma and demonstrate correct inhaler technique.

Section 4: Avoiding or Limiting Asthma Triggers
Managing exposure to triggers can greatly reduce the need for asthma medicines. The student should be able to articulate their asthma triggers and strategies to avoid or limit their exposure to them.

Section 1: Basic Understanding of Asthma
The student should have a basic understanding of asthma

Section 2: Understanding of Symptoms and Asthma Management
Recognizing signs and symptoms can help people with asthma take the necessary steps to prevent an asthma episode. The student should be able to recognize asthma symptoms and the steps to treat them.

Section 3: Using Asthma Medications
Understanding and using asthma medicines is a critical component to the overall treatment of asthma. The student should be able to describe the medicine they use to treat their asthma and demonstrate correct inhaler technique.

Section 4: Avoiding or Limiting Asthma Triggers
Managing exposure to triggers can greatly reduce the need for asthma medicines. The student should be able to articulate their asthma triggers and strategies to avoid or limit their exposure to them.