concepts of care for pt. with noninfectious lower respiratory problems Flashcards
asthma
- chronic disease that occurs intermittently
- inflammation and airway tissue sensitivity
asthma symoms
- daytime symptoms of wheezing, dyspnea, coughing presents more than 2 a week
- waking from night sleep with symptoms of wheezing, dyspnea, coughing
- relieved drug needed more than twice weekly
- number of times per week activity was limited or stopped by symptoms
asthma history
- history of dsypna, shortness of breath, chest tightness, coughing, wheezing, increased mucous production
- same pt. have symptoms 4-8 weeks after a cold or other upper respiratory infection
- pt. with atopic (allergic) asthma may have other allergic problems
common symptoms with acute asthma
audible wheezing
increased respiraotry effort
asthma attack cues
inflammation occurs, coughing may increase
- accessory muscle use
- breathing cycle is longer, prolonged exhalation and requires more effort
- unable to speak
- hypoxia
- poor o2 levels
- examine oral mucosa, nail beds, change in loc, & tachycardia
pulmonary function tests
- forced vital capacity: total amount of air exhaled
- forced expiratory volume in first second- how much air a person exhale during forced breath
- peak expiratory rate flow- air flowing out of lungs
asthma interventions
- control and prevent episodes
- improve air flow and gas exchange
- relieve symptoms
- self management education
- ASSESSMENT OF ASTHMA SEVERITY DAILY WITH A PEAK FLOW METER IS RECOMMENDED FOR PT. WHOSE ASTHMA IS NOT WELL CONTROLLED
asthma drug therapy
- control therapy drugs
- reliever drugs
- bronchodilators
- anti-inflammatory agents
control therapy drugs (used daily)
used to reduce airway sensitivity (responsiveness) to prevent asthma attacks from occurring and maintain gas exchange
- inhaled cortical steroid- reduce inflammation
reliever drugs
used to stop an attack
- short acting bronchodilator
bronchodilators
induce rapid bronchodilation through relaxing the smooth muscle
what do anti-inflammatory agents do?
help to improve bronchiolar airflow and increase gas exchange
high flow delivery cause
bronchospasms are severe and limit flow of oxygen through bronchiole tubes
status asthmaticus
- severe life threatening acute episode of airway obstruction
- intensifies once it begins, often does not respond to common therapy
- can develop pneumothorax and cardiac or respiratory arrest
treatment for status asthmaticus
Iv fluids potent systemic bronchodilator steroids epinephrine oxygen prepare for emergency intubation
emphysema
destructive problem of lung elastic tissue that reduces its ability to recoil after stretching, leading to hyperinflation of the lung
- changes result in dyspna with reduced gas exchange and the need for an increased respiratory rate
chronic bronchitis
inflammation of the bronchi and bronchioles caused by exposure to irritants, especially cigarette smoke
- trigger inflammation, vasodilation, mucosal edema, congestion, and bronchospasm
- affects airways not alveoli
why is chronic bronchitis a blue bloater
- presence of cyanosis of skin and mucous membranes
- hypoxemia occurs early in disease
- c02 retention