Respiratory Flashcards
Common Pathophysiology
Bronchitis (Viral)
Inflammation of the mucous membranes of the bronchus.
Begins with URI (upper respiratory infection), progresses to lower airways.
May lead to secondary infection (pneumonia)
Signs and symptoms:
Fever, chills, malaise, dry non-productive cough progressing to production of the think purulent drainage. Coughing can be paraoxysmal, moist inspiratory crackles heard.
Bronchitis (Viral)
Nursing Management/Treatment
Bed Rest, antipyretics(for fever management), increased fluids, humidifiers, acute bronchitis is usually self-limiting, will go away when infection subsides, monitor VS, encourage cough and deep breathing, use good hand hygiene and infection control practices.
Pneumonia
Most common cause of death from infection.
Many causes (eg. viruses, a variety of bacteria most commonly strep, staph, Klebsiella and Pseudomonas
Pneumonia can be “comminity-acquired”, “hospital-acquired”, “immune-comprimised host”, or “aspiration pneumonia”
Signs and Symptoms:
Fever; chills; malaise; productive cough; pain on inspiration; wheezing; crackles; cyanosis of lips and nail beds; infiltrates on CXR
Pneumonia (older adults)
Must watch for these symptoms: General deterioration, weakness, abdominal symptoms, anorexia, confusion, tachycardia, tachypnea
Treatment/ Nursing Management:
- Antibiotics - for bacterial pneumonia depending on C&S
- Oxygen therapy
- Bed rest
- Chest Physiotherapy
- Drug therapies, bronchodilators, antipyretics, cough expectorants or supressents as needed.
- Monitor vital signs
- Encourage good nutritional and fluid intake
Influenza
in elderly or immune compromised people, influenza can progress to pneumonia and can accelerate cardiovascular disease, which can lead to death
Influenza - Treatment
- Prevention!!! Through yearly vaccinations
- Good infection control practices to prevent spread
- Treatment is mainly symptomatic
- Bed rest
- Antipyretics
- Cough suppressant / expectorants
- Good hydration
- Antivirals
