Respiratory Flashcards
What parts of the body are involved in the upper respiratory system?
Nose
Paranasal sinuses
Pharynx
Larynx
Trachea
Bronchi
T/F
Most upper respiratory infections and disorders are serious
False. Most of them are actually minor. However some of them can progress to be serious.
Most common upper respiratory infection?
Common cold that requires no treatment
Upper respiratory infections are the most common reason for …. (2)
Seeking healthcare
Absences from school/work
What type of infection are 90% of upper respiratory infections caused by?
Virus
Obstructive sleep apnea
Recurrent apnea during sleep
Risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea
Obese males
Large necks
Common symptom of obstructive sleep apnea
Snoring
Hearing periods where they aren’t breathing
Nursing interventions you need to do for obstructive sleep apnea patients? (2)
Make sure the alarm is on
Reposition the patient to maintain the airway
Why is repositioning a priority for patient with obstructive sleep apnea?
By repositioning, we are trying to maintain their airway
Your patient is expressing symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea but they are undiagnosed. What do you do?
Make a referral to physician to get RT on board and get a CPAP
What is a deviated septum?
Sideways displacement of the walls between the nostrils of the nose
Will your patients know they have a deviated septum?
Usually not
What is the cause of a deviated septum?
Nasal injury of some sort
If a patient does have symptoms from their deviated nasal septum, what kind would you expect?
Nose bleed
Mild congestion
Loud noisie breathing during sleep
Treatment for deviated septum patients
Decongestants
Antihistamines
Nasal steroids if its bad
Refer to ENT specialist if bad
Why are nose fractures so common?
Due to the location making it more susceptible. It’s bony too.
What can a nose fracture result in?
Hematoma
Infection
Abscess
Avascular or septic necrosis
Why are we concerned about infection with a nose fracture?
Bacteria growth in mucus membranes of the nose
Why are worried about avascular necrosis from a nose fracture?
Blood flow to the area is reduced with a fracture and can cause the avascular necrosis.
- so don’t let a patient avoid the specialist
Epistaxis
Nose bleed due to rupture of tiny vessels in nose
What if epistaxis is frequent?
Go see ENT if it is frequent in order to figure out why
- high bp could be the reason
A big reason why patients have frequent epistaxis?
High BP
Laryngeal obstruction
When upper breathing passage is narrowed or blocked causing difficulty in breathing
Areas that can be affected by a laryngeal obstruction?
Trachea
Larynx
Pharynx
Exercised induced laryngeal obstruction
Transient reversible narrowing of larynx that occurs with high intensity exercise that impedes airway and causes stridor, discomfort, and shortness of air
When young athletes have exercise induced laryngeal obstruction, what are they often misdiagnosed as?
Exercise induced asthma or bronchoconstriction
Larynx is a ______ box with a ______ lining.
stiff box with mucosal lining
When exactly does the laryngeal obstruction dangerous?
When there is edema at the opening of the glottis - can obstruct breathing.
What is Sinusitis ?
Inflammation of the paranasal sinuses that is adjacanet/around the nasal cavity
What are the main causes of sinusitis?
Infection from virus, bacteria, or fungus
Autoimmune reaction to allergies
Explain the autoimmune response causing sinusitis rt allergies
Histamine is released which causes inflammation of mucosal lining
Why do doctors refer to sinusitis as rhinosinisutis?
Because both the sinuses and the nose are inflamed
With sinusitis, what are the possible sinuses that could be having inflammation?
Maxillary
Frontal
Ethmoid
Sphenoid
Maxillary sinusitis symptoms
Pain or pressure in the cheek
Toothache or headache
- they go to the dentist
Frontal sinusitis symptoms
Pain or pressure behind the eyes
Headache
Tight eyes
Cool, warm compress