In all the chapters the Case Studies represent situations similar to those that the medical assistant may encounter in daily practice. Students are encouraged to consider the case study as they read each chapter.

A 5-year-old boy is brought to the pediatrician's office. He has been coughing at night for the past week. Today he presents with shortness of breath, tightness in his chest, and wheezing. The doctor recognizes the child's symptoms as those of asthma and orders a bronchodilator—a drug that relaxes the muscles around the airway—to be delivered using a nebulizer. He also refers the child for allergy testing.

As you read this chapter, consider the following questions:

1. Why is the patient wheezing?

2. Is asthma a life-threatening condition?

3. What is the advantage of using a nebulizer to deliver the bronchodilator?

4. Why did the doctor refer the patient for allergy testing?