Nathan et al. (2004) found a stronger correlation between the ACT score and a specialist’s evaluation of asthma control than between the forced expi- ratory volume (FEV1) and the special- ist’s evaluation of asthma control for
407 patients with asthma.
Using the ACT, the provider scores the responses from the child and/or parent, and any score of 19 or under may indicate poor asthma con- trol, and the child may need a daily controller medication. The NP will document the child’s asthma severity based on the NAEPP guidelines that classify asthma using a step-wise approach for treatment as shown in Table 1 (AHRQ, 2008; NHLBI, 2007). The NP or school nurse will enter the student’s asthma data into the CPS electronic asthma database for track- ing and reporting purposes, and for better communication with the PCP or asthma specialist.