Final answer:
Air is trapped in the alveoli of a person with asthma due to inflammation, bronchospasms, and excessive mucus secretion, all of which narrow and obstruct the airways.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse is teaching a client who is newly diagnosed with asthma, a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways. During an asthma attack, air is trapped in alveoli primarily due to three mechanisms:
- Inflammation of the airways, which causes swelling and narrowing of the passageways.
- Bronchospasms, or the constriction of the muscles around the bronchioles, which further inhibits the flow of air.
- Excessive mucus secretion, contributing to the obstruction of the airways and difficulty in the movement of air and gases.
In summary, these processes make it hard for a person with asthma to breathe, leading to symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and chest tightness. It's important for those with asthma to control their symptoms by avoiding triggers and following a prescribed medication regime.