Children with asthma: a concern for the family.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), asthma is a growing health problem in the United States; there are now 9 million children under the age of 18 diagnosed with this illness. As a chronic illness, asthma has a major impact on the life of the individual as well as the family. This article illustrates the process of incorporation of standardized guidelines for the management of pediatric asthma through the collaborative efforts of the nurse, family, and child. Inclusion of a written asthma management plan that is client specific can help to ensure successful management of this common and deadly childhood illness. It is essential that nurses focus on educating the families of children with asthma in an effort to assist them in managing this chronic illness. A case study approach is used to illustrate the complexity of the problem and facilitate the nurse's understanding of the process of assessment of need.