Module 3 Respiratory Flashcards
What is asthma?
Chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways resulting in episodic reversible narrowing and inflammation of the airways.
What is the pathophysiology of asthma?
Primary event is airway inflammation
Secondary event is airway hyper-responsiveness and airflow obstruction (to a trigger)
What risk factors are associated with asthma?
Genetic, environmental, immune system, obesity
What are the triggers for asthma?
Allergens, cold air, exercise, irritants, stress, virus, smoking/exposure, aspirin
What is the SUBJECTIVE clinical presentation of asthma?
Cough (most common-may be the only symptom), wheezing, SOB, sputum production, anxiety
What is the OBJECTIVE clinical presentation of asthma?
Wheezing (esp with inspiration, diaphoresis, anxiety, breathless, RR ≥30, HR ≥120 (both tachy and tachypnic suggest severe bronchospasm)
What asthmatic symptoms warrant sending a patient to the ER?
Signs of severe bronchospasm
Ex. RR ≥30, HR ≥120
What diagnostics can/should be used for asthma?
Spirometry: helps us know if the treatment is affective
Bronchodilator: a great way to diagnose asthma
What should be included in the physical exam for evaluation of asthma?
General, respiratory (inspection, palpation, auscultation), Skin, cardiovascular
Egophany, fremitus
What are the differential diagnoses for asthma?
URI (croup, vocal cord dysfunction), lower respiratory dysfunction (pneumonia, COPD, cardiac conditions), GERD
What are the different types of asthma?
Intermittent (less than 2 days a week) Mild Persistent (more than 2 days a week) APRN may care for Moderate Persistent (daily) Should be referred/comanaged Severe Persistent (Throughout the day)
How is asthma treated?
Management is based on symptoms, severity, and comorbidities. Develop an action plan
What patient teaching is important for asthma?
Review potential triggers, review emergent situations (when to go to hospital/call doctor)
What complications are associated with asthma?
Sick time for school or work Anxiety/depression Superimposed infection Emphysema Pneumothorax Respiratory failure Heart failure
What pharmacological interventions can be used to assist with smoking cessation?
Nicotine replacement (2 NRTs best bet)
Bupropion (Wellbutrin; Zyban)
Varencline (Chantic)
Nic Vax facilitates nicotine antibody development that prevents nicotine from getting to the brain
Best Nopharm option:“Cold Turkey” is better than tapering
What is the Pathophysiology of Pneumonia?
Acute infection of the pulmonary parenchyma
Protective mechanisms of the lungs such as epithelial cells, cilia and gag reflex- along with the immune system - are compromised
What are the different potential causes of pneumonia?
Bacterial, viral, or fungal
What is atypical pneumonia? How is it usually caused? How does it present?
Atypical is more difficult to detect organism
ex. Chlamydia pneumoniae, Legionella pneumophila, Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Typically caused by: Mycoplasma
Presentation: Milder symptoms, Insidious onset, More resistant and more common in younger population, “Walking pneumonia”
How is typical pneumonia usually caused. How does it present?
Main cause: Streptococcus pneumonae (focus on)
Also caused by: Staphylococcus aureus
Presentation: Acute onset
Chest X-ray (helps determine between typical and atypical
What are the viral causes of pneumonia?
Influenza A or B – 14%
Rhinovirus – 20%
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Corona Virus
What are the risk factors for pneumonia?
Compromised immune system Smoking Impaired gag reflex or altered level of consciousness Some more susceptible to pneumonia Diabetes and heart disease
What are the differential diagnosis for pneumonia?
Acute bronchitis Asthma COPD exacerbation Heart failure Lung cancer Pulmonary embolism
What subjective data do we see with pneumonia?
Acute onset-feel very sick Fever/Chills, Fatigue, malaise Severe coughing (possibly bloody) With typical cough is productive; atypical cough is dry Shortness of breath* Chest pain (pleural) Nausea or vomiting Loss of appetite
What subjective data do we see with acute bronchitis?
Severe coughing-lingering cough Muscle aches from coughing Sore throat from coughing No shortness of breath Feeling of fullness
What subjective data do we see with viral pneumonia?
Acute onset-lingering cough
Chills, Cough
Body symptoms associated with the virus
What objective data do we see with pneumonia?
Fever Severe coughing Shortness of breath Tachypnea* General appearance of sickness
**What objective data do we see with acute bronchitis?
Low grade fever or no fever
Severe coughing
General appearance of fatigue
Possible: Wheezing, ronchi, rales (but typically clear)
What objective data do we see with viral pneumonia?
Rales Dullness to percussion Increased tactile fremitus Decreased O2 saturation(<90% should be referred or admitted) Bronchial breath sounds - egophony
What diagnostics will be helpful in determining pneumonia vs bronchitis? Which are not helpful?
Helpful: Chest X-ray, Pulse Ox , Pneumonia severity index, Clinical judgment
Not helpful: Sputum analysis, Blood gas, CBC with dif