Ch 55 Respiratory Diseases Flashcards
Respiratory diseases
-common among the general population
-asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
-tuberculosis continues to be a worldwide problem
Asthma
-chronic inflammatory respiratory disease characterized by an increased responsiveness of the bronchial airways to various stimuli
-it is classified as intermittent or persistent (mild, moderate or severe) depending on quality of life and risk for future exacerbations and lung damage
Client education tips: asthma
-explain that rinsing the mouth with water after using an inhaled corticosteroid decreases the risk of oral candidiasis and dental caries
-explain that if the patient experiences Xerostomia and or an unpleasant taste after inhalant therapy the use of xylitol containing chewing gum will increase salivary flow, minimizing the risks of dental caries and gingivitis
Client education tips: COPD
Proper management of dental hygiene care for patients with COPD will help prevent an exacerbation during treatment
Signs and symptoms of an acute asthmatic attack
-wheezing
-coughing
-nasal flaring
-dyspnea
-feeling of pressure or tightness in the chest
-need to stand, sit upright or lean foreword
-increased anxiety and apprehension
-perspiration
-respiratory rate of more that 30RPM
-increased pulse rate of more that 120 BPM
-rise in blood pressure (particularly in severe attacks)
-confusion
-agitation
-cyanosis
Asthma l: implications for dental hygiene care
-assess the frequency, conditions, time of onset, and type of asthmatic attacks
-instructor clients to bring any medical inhalers prescribed by a physician
-avoid use of air polisher, power driven polisher or ultrasonic scaler
-evaluate asthmatic children for malocclusion
-set goals for meticulous home care
COPD
-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a general term used to describe a spectrum of pulmonary disorders considered to be preventable and treatable
-the two most common forms of COPD are emphysema and chronic bronchitis
Emphysema
-emphysema has become a pathologic term to describe the overinflation called hyperinflation of lungs and irreversible destruction of structures in the lungs known as alveoli or air sacs
-this overinflation is caused by a breakdown of the walls of the alveoli, resulting in decreased respiratory function and often dyspnea
Bronchitis
-inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes. These tubes or bronchi connecting the trachea with the lungs become inflamed and or infected. As a result lesser air is able to flow to and from the lungs and heavy mucus or phlegm is expectorated
-chronic bronchitis is associated with the presence of a mucus producing cough with expectoration for at least 3 months of the year for more than 2 consecutive years, without other underlying disease to explain the cough
COPD risk factors
Cigarette smoking
Air pollutants and industrial dust and fumes
Genetic predisposition known as alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
COPD signs and symptoms
-cough that produces large amounts of sputum
-dyspnea (difficulty breathing)
-prolonged expiration and wheezing
-acute attacks of breathing distress with rapid laboured breathing, intensive coughing and bluish skin (blue bloater)
COPD implications for dental hygiene care
-seat the client in a semi supine or upright chair position
-plan short appointments
-avoid the use of a rubber dam
-avoid nitrous oxide in a patient with emphysema
-access the pt for medication induced Xerostomia
-initiate a smoking cessation program for the patient
Tuberculosis
An airborne communicable disease
-primarily affects the lungs
-one of the oldest disease known to strike humans
TB: individuals most at risk
-HIV positive individuals
-alcoholics and intravenous drug abusers
-those living in shared habitation situations (prisons, nursing homes, mental institutions, shelters)
-healthcare workers
TB: signs and symptoms
Low grade fever
Listlessness
Loss of appetite
Chronic cough
Night sweats
Weight loss
Central pulmonary necrosis
Cavitation
