respiratory Flashcards
What are priority findings for a patient with tonsillitis?
- history of ottitis media and hearing difficulties
- mouth odor and breathing
- sore throat, fever, and difficulty swallowing
- tonsil inflammation with redness and edema
what are complications of tonsillitis?
hemorrhage which can cause hypovolemic shock so watch for signs of bleeding such as tachycardia, repeated swallowing, hemoptysis–> hypotension is a late sign of shock
what are pre op care points for a patient that will undergo a tonsillectomy?
maintain NPO status
what are post op care points for a patient that has undergone a tonsillectomy?
- elevate HOB when child is awake
- assess for signs of bleeding: frequent swallowing, bright red emesis, restlessness, tachycardia, and pallor
- provide an ice collar
- encourage clear liquids and fluids after a return of the gag reflex- avoid red colored liquids, citrus juice, and milk based foods initially
- discourage coughing, throat clearing, and nose blowing in order to protect surgical site
- clots or blood tinged mucus in vomit is common
what are important lab findings for a patient with bacterial pneumonia?
- radiographic exam to see presence of infiltrates
- gram stain and culture
- nasopharyngeal specimens
- elevated antistreptolysin titer if streptococcal infection is present
what are nursing care interventions to perform for a patient with bacterial pneumonia?
- encourage rest
- administer IV antibiotics, oxygen
- monitor Is and Os
- administer antipyretics for fever
- CPT and postural drainage can be helpful
what causes bronchiolitis?
bronchiioltiis is caused by RSV (respiratory synsetial virus)
what will the nurse initially see with a patient who has bronchiolitis?
rhinorrhea, intermittent fever, pharyngitis, sneezing, wheezing, possible ear or eye infection
what will the nurse see as the bronchiolitis progresses?
increased coughing and wheezing, fever, tachypnea, retractions, refusal to nurse or bottle feed, and copious secretions
what will the nurse see bronchiolitis becomes severe?
tachypnea >70/min, apneic spells, poor air exchange, cyanosis
what is the plan of care for a patient who has bronchiolitis?
- supplemental oxygen to keep it above 90 percent
- encourage oral intake but if not, give IV fluids until the acute phase has passed
- CPT, bronchodilators, and corticosteroids are not rec commended for these patients
- give antibiotics if there is a pre existing bacterial infection
- encourage breastfeeding
what is bacterial epiglottitis?
medical emergency with acute inflammation of the epiglottis
what causes bacterial epiglottitis?
usually cause by haemophilus influenza
what are signs of bacterial epiglottitis?
- ABSENCE OF COUGH, DROOLING, AGITATION
- tripod position
- dysphonia and dysphagia
- suprasternal and substernal retractions
what does the tripod position look like?
sitting upright with chin pointing out, mouth open, and the tongue protruding
what is dysphonia?
thick, muffled voice and frog like sound
what are nursing care interventions that the nurse should follow when taking care of a patient with bacterial epiglottitis?
- avoid throat cultures or using a tongue blade because you want to protect the airway
- prepare for intubation
- administer corticosteroids, IV fluids, and IV antibiotics–> then transition to oral dose to complete a 10 day course
- droplet precautions for 24 hours after IV antibiotics have been initiated to let it start working
what are causes of acute laryngotracheobronchitiis?
AL is caused by RSV, influenza, and pneumonia
what are causes of acute spasmodic laryngitis?
ASL is caused by being a self limting illness that can result from allergens
what are findings for acute laryngotracheobronchitis in infants/toddlers?
nasal flaring, intercostal retractions, tachypnea, and continuous stridor
what are findings for acute laryngotracheobronchitis in children?
fever, restlessness, barky cough, dyspnea, inspiratory stridor, and retractions
what are findings for acute spasmodic laryngitis?
croupy barky cough, restlessness, dyspnea
when does acute spasmodic laryngitis usually occur?
ASL usually occurs mainly at night with acute laryngeal obstruction attacks
what nursing care interventions can the nurse provide to patients with AL or ASL?
- provide humidity with cool mist
- administer nebulized racemic epinephrine
- administer corticosteroids such as dexamethasone or budesonide
- administer IV fluids