Medical conditions Flashcards
Ahe persistent inflammation of the lungs characterized by recurrent episodes of shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chest tightness or pressure, coughing (especially at night), and wheezing
Asthma
What is the best position of a patient experiencing asthma attack?
Orthopneic position to facilitate breathing and lung expansion
A severe, prolonged form of asthma that is difficult to treat
Status asthmaticus
What causes hypoxemia during asthma?
limited expiratory airflow traps air distal to spastic, narrowed airways
Hyperventilation results to what type of acid-base imbalance?
respiratory alkalosis
Explain the pathophysiology of asthma.
Inflammatory mediators released from sensitized airways –> causing activation of inflammatory cells –> bronchoconstriction, airway edema, impaired mucociliary clearance –> airway narrowing limits airflow, increases work of breathing –> trapped air mixes with inhaled air, impairing gas exchange
What causes asthma?
Common allergens, exposure to aspirin and other nonsteroidal drugs, exercise, cold or hot air, viral infections, stress
List the risk factors of asthma.
Genetic factors
Exposure to infections
Air pollution
Allergies
Prevention strategies to follow when dealing with asthma
Avoid allergies and environmental triggers
Modify home environment
Remove pets from household
Eliminate all tobacco smoke
Early treatment of respiratory infections
Comply with medication regimens
What is the goal of pharmacologic therapy in asthma?
Prevent and control symptoms, reduce frequency and severity of exacerbations, reverse airway obstruction
What is the effect of bronchodilators?
Relax smooth muscles of airway
block the late response to inhaled allergens and reduce edema and bronchial hyperresponsiveness
Corticosteroids
Children younger than 4 will be needing a _______ for medication administration.
spacer with mask
Air trapping means ______
decreased airflow with exhalation
increase the anteroposterior chest diameter
barrel chest
inflammation of the mucous membranes of the bronchial tubes
Bronchitis
a disorder of excessive bronchial mucus secretion
Chronic bronchitis
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
a specific progressive disorder that slowly alters the structures of the respiratory system over time, irreversibly affecting lung function
Emphysema
characterized by destruction of the walls of the alveoli, with resulting enlargement of abnormal air spaces
Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)
the amount of air that can be exhaled in 1 second as measured by a spirometer
Postural drainage
the drainage by gravity of secretions from various lung segments
What is pursed-lip breathing?
exhaling through a narrow opening between the lips to prolong the expiratory phase in an effort to promote more alveolar emptying while maintaining open alveoli
A characteristic position of patients with COPD.
Tripod position
a series of vigorous quiverings produced by hands that are placed flat against the patient’s chest wall
vibration
What is a major factor in the development of chronic bronchitis?
smoking
What is the prevention of COPD?
Don’t smoke, or quit smoking
Decrease exposure to secondhand smoke, occupational respiratory irritants, air pollutants
What are the manifestations of chronic bronchitis?
cough that produces copious amounts of thick tenacious sputum, cyanosis, evidence of right-sided heart failure, adventitious lung sounds prominent on auscultation
What are the manifestations of emphysema insidious?
dyspnea with exertion, minimal cough, barrel chest due to air trapping and hyperinflation, breath sounds diminished, pursed-lip breathing
Airway clearance techniques
therapies used to assist in loosening and removing mucus form the lungs; coughing is the most basic, huffing, CPT
Amniocentesis
genetic testing used to determine if the fetus has CF; typically occurs between weeks 15–18 of the pregnancy
Autosomal recessive disorder
requires that the affected individual receive two abnormal CFTR genes in order to express the disease
A major revolution in the treatment of CF, because they target the cause of the problem rather than just the clinical manifestations
CFTR modulators
Chest physical therapy (CPT)
An airway clearance technique (ACT) that involves percussion, as well as vibration and deep breathing
Chorionic villus sampling
genetic testing used to determine if the fetus has CF; typically occurs between weeks 10 and 13 of the pregnancy
Cystic fibrosis (CF)
An inherited disorder that affects the secretory glands, particularly the glands that are responsible for secreting mucus, digestive enzymes, and sweat
Central to the movement of chloride into and out of the body cells
Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein
Medications that help break up thick mucus secretions in the airways of patients with CF
Mucolytics
Typically administered twice, measures the amount of salt in the baby’s sweat and is most effective for a CF diagnosis
Sweat test
A genetic defect associated with CF causes ________ that results to _________.
production of thick, sticky mucus; obstructs ducts, passageways, airways within the body
What is the goal of pharmacology therapy in patients with CF?
Essential to open airways, break up mucus, treat infection and inflammation
