Module 6: HEENT Part 1-edited Flashcards
What is the care of the patient treated for anaphylaxis?
- Mild and transient effects such as pallor, tremor, anxiety, palpitations, headache and dizziness occur within minutes after injection of a recommended dose of epinephrine. These effects confirm that a therapeutic dose has been given.
- Ensure the person lies down. Fatality can occur within seconds if the person stands or sits suddenly after epinephrine.
- People should remain in a recumbent position following receipt of an epinephrine injection and be monitored closely.
When do you refer to opthalmology for conjuctivitis?
- corneal ulceration
- keratoconjunctivitis
- ocular allergy
- viral keratitis
What considerations does NP need to take into account when prescribing Zanamivir?
Patients with asthma or COPD can have bronchospasm (wheezing) or serious breathing problems when using zanamivir.
What are the non-pharmacological interventions of viral conjunctivitis?
- Advise regarding self-limiting nature of condition (viral conjunctivitis)
- Pt is highly contagious for 48-72hrs; restrict contact with others 24-48hrs after tx initiated
- Avoid sharing personal items & ensure good hand hygiene
- Cleanse affected eye(s) by wiping from the inner canthus outward using a single tissue/cotton ball
- Clean eyes several times a day with weak
solution of no-tear baby shampoo & warm water - Stop wearing contact lenses until the problem is resolved
- Avoid makeup, smoke, wind and other irritants
- Apply cold compresses several times a day to
reduce discomfort of lid edema
What is acute otitis media?
- Rapid onset of symptoms of inflammation of the middle ear (2-3 days)
- Can be viral or bacterial
- Often preceded by viral URTI which alters respiratory tract defenses by disturbing the epithelium and impairing mucociliary clearance. This may lead to eustachian tube dysfunction
What are the side effects of corticosteroid spray?
- Epistaxis
- Nasal irritation
- Rarely, septal perforation
What must never be prescribed for conjunctivitis?
Topical anesthetic eye drops should never be prescribed for self-administration by the patient
What is uncomplicated acute otitis media?
AOM without otorrhea
What are natural remedies for colds/rhinitis?
- North America gingseng extract
- Vitamin C
- Echinacea
- Zinc
- These have been shown to reduce the frequency, duration, and severity of colds (MUMS guidelines)
What are non-pharmacological interventions for otitis externa?
- Instruct patients to remove moisture from ear after swimming (tilting the head, use warm air from hairdryer), or use earplugs while in the water
- Avoid use of cotton swabs to clean ears
- Avoid long term use of items that occlude the ear canal (e.g. headphones) if possible
- Clean external ear canal, consider flushing ear canal if cerumen impaction is present
- Use mineral oil x7 days then once a week prophylactically for cerumen impaction
What are contraindications in administering epinephrine in treating anaphylaxis?
There are no absolute contraindications to
epinephrine in the setting of anaphylaxis; but delay or absence of epi administrations can result in death
What are pharmacological interventions for bacterial conjunctivitis?
- First line- OTC drops gramicidin-polymyxin B drops (Polysporin) 1drop q3-4h. If lots of tearing present use ointment instead- bacitracin-polymixin B ointment
- RX- Erythromycin 0.5% ointment 0.5-1 inch QID (lots of other choices too like gentamycin and tobramycin-
however these options can damage cornea with prolonged use) - If infection is severe or complicated (contact lenses, corneal involvement, Tx failure): Besifloxacin 0.6% drops 1 drop TID x7 days (many other “floxacin” options as well)
usual course is 5-7 days
What are some management interventions for acute rhinitis?
- Drink plenty of water (6-8 glasses)
- Saline (nasal drops/spray/rinse/gargles)
- Analgesics
- Decongestions
Under what conditions should NP refer a child with AOM to ENT?
- for treatment failures or recurrences unresponsive to therapy
- recurrent episodes (≥3 episodes in 6 months or ≥4 episodes in 12 months) for consideration of myringotomy and tympanostomy tubes
- children with recurrent episodes of AOM should also have audiology assessment to determine any conductive hearing loss
What is nonsevere acute otitis media?
AOM with presence of mild to moderate otalgia and fever >39
What are non-pharmacologic interventions for bacterial conjunctivitis?
- Infection usually self-limited -65%
- Proper hand hygiene to stop spread and re-infection
- Warm compress to remove crusts etc wipe from inner canthus outward using single use cloth or cotton.
- Can clean lashes several time a day with weak solution of no-tears baby shampoo and water
What is the first line treatment for AOM
Amoxicillin is considered first-line therapy in the treatment of AOM.
Amox 80mg/kg/day divided BID or TID (MUMs)
What are non-pharmacological interventions for acute conjunctivitis?
- Advise about self-limiting nature of condition
- Restrict contact with others 24-48hrs
- Avoid sharing personal items
- Hand hygiene
- Clean affected eye by wiping from inner canthus outward using a single tissue/cotton ball
- Clean eyelashes several times a day with weak solution of no-tear baby shampoo and warm water
What are the pharmacological interventions of viral onjunctivitis?
- To distinguish bacterial from adenoviral conjunctivitis, a point-of- care adenoviral test is available for healthcare
practitioners to use in office - MUMS: No antibiotics or antiviral indicated for viral conjunctivitis. Can use artificial tears depending on symptoms. E.g. Refresh for dry eyes, exposure, lid malpositions, blepharitis, minor irritations. 1–2 drops TID-QID. A/E: Preservative toxicity, gels cause filmy/blurry
vision.
What is aqueous tear-deficient keratoconjunctivitis sicca?
- Sjörgen syndrome (autoimmune etiology e.g. RA, SLE)
- Non-Sjörgen syndrome (idiopathic age-related disease; lacrimal gland scarring e.g. trachoma; decreased secretion e.g. contact lenses, CN VII palsy, anticholinergics, antihistamines, diuretics, b-blockers)
What are children <6 weeks old with acute otitis media at risk for?
Bacteremia/sepsis
Refer to ER
What is the next step when antigen test is negative for strep in a child?
Throat swab culture is required for children
What is the criteria for prophylaxis treatment of influenza-like illness in LTC
When at least two residents develop acute flu-like illness within 72hrs of each other and have laboratory confirmation