module 1a care of person with an acute respiratory condition

Question 1

what are Some of the conditions that affect the lower respiratory tract

Answer 1

asthma, COPD, cystic fibrosis, pneumonia, acute bronchitis, bronchiolitis, influenza and cancer

Question 2

what are some of the common diagnostic investigation or a person with infective respiratory problems

Answer 2

pulse oximetry(Sa02)
peak expiratory flow (PEF)
spirometry
radiological investigation
bronchoscopy
arterial blood gases (ABGs)

Question 3

what is pneumonia?

Answer 3

pneumonia is an acute infection that affects the lungs when an individual has pneumonia, the alveoli are filled with pus and fluid which makes breathing painful and limits oxygen

Question 4

clinical manifestations of pneumonia?

Answer 4

cough(can be productive, with purulent sputum-green, yellow or rust coloured)
fever and chills
dyspnoea
tachypnoea (rapid and shallow breathing)
signs of confusion(hypoxia)
increased tactical fremitus ((palpable vibration of the chest wall that results from the transmission of sound vibrations through the lung tissue to the chest wall.)
presence of fine crackles or bronchi over the affected area with reduced breath sounds

Question 5

pneumonia can be classified as ?

Answer 5

community- acquire: when person gets ill outside of a hospital
hospital acquired: ventilator associated when person is already sick in hospital
aspirate pneumonia: breathing in something while eating

Question 6

how is pneumonia diagnosed?

Answer 6

history, examination, clinical manifestation,
tests include X-ray, sputum sensitivity, PCR, full blood examination and ABGs.

Question 7

what are some of nursing management for pneumonia?

Answer 7

collaboration with interdisciplinary team
ongoing monitoring and assessment
oxygen therapy
Patient positioning in high semi fowlers to relieve dyspnoea and promote oxygenation and airway clearance

Question 8

what is Croup?

Answer 8

Croup (also known as Laryngo tracheitis) is a common respiratory illness in children, which causes inflammation of the upper airway, larynx and trachea, triggered by a viral infection

Question 9

what are some of clinical manifestation?

Answer 9

fever may be present
* Can range from mild to life threatening (Lemone et al, 2020).
* Features are a harsh barking cough, stridor, hoarseness with preceding fever and coryza
* Symptoms are worse at night, peak on 2nd or 3rd night
* May have wheeze with increased work of breathing
* Usually between 6m-3yo
More common in the boys than girls

Question 10

what is diagnosis of Croup?

Answer 10

• Based on clinical history and clinical findings.
  No investigations are needed as these may cause distress and worsening of symptom

Question 11

what are some of nursing consideration for Croup?

Answer 11

• Gentle handling - for children - nurse on parent’s lap to reduce anxiety and oxygen demand (RCH, 2022)
  
  • Careful and frequent observation: pay particular attention to work of breathing and use of accessory muscles
  • Assessment of the ill child particularly accurate respiratory assessment
  • Note increasing restlessness/anxiety and fatigue
  • Offer small amounts of diet and fluid frequently and maintain FBC with observation of urine output
    Administer medication such as oral prednisolone

Question 12

what is bronchiolitis?

Answer 12

Bronchiolitis is a common lung infection in young children and infants. It causes inflammation and congestion in the small airways (bronchioles) of the lung. Bronchiolitis is almost always caused by a virus. Typically, the peak time for bronchiolitis is during the winter months.
it can be mild, moderate, severe

Question 13

treatment for bronchilotis?

Answer 13

Severe bronchiolitis will require close observation, oxygen therapy (such as high flow oxygen via nasal prongs) and possibly fluid through a drip into the vein (intravenous therapy
* Paracetamol can be given if required. .
Parents are instructed to avoid smoking around the baby – in the car or house – as this will make the symptoms worse.