Respiratory (Exam Two) Flashcards
Describe atopy.
Genetic predisposition to develop an allergic response to common allergens
Which immunoglobulin is assessed in relation to allergens and allergic responses?
IgE
Atopy is a major ______ ________ for asthma.
Risk factor
A new nurse on the medical-surgical floor overhears another RN explain to a patient how people have a lower incidence of developing asthma when exposed to certain infections early in life, used fewer antibiotics, were around other children, or lived in rural areas or with pets. The new nurse knows the RN is explaining what concept?
Hygiene hypothesis
What is occurring within the lungs when a patient has asthma?
- Airways are chronically inflamed
- Airways are narrow
- Air gets trapped
List the causes of asthma.
- Heredity/Genetics
- Airborne allergies
- Pollution
- Smoking
List the risk factors for developing asthma.
- Heredity/Genetic predisposition
- Male gender in childhood
- Obesity
List the signs and symptoms of asthma.
- Dyspnea
- Tachypnea
- Wheezing
- Chest tightness
- Cough
- Prolonged expiration
- Use of accessory muscles
The nurse knows what is happening if the patient with asthma has absent lung sounds?
- Bronchioles are completely constricted
- Minimal air flow
- EMERGENCY!
Why is wheezing not a good indicator of the severity of an asthma attack?
- Loud wheezing is heard during minor attacks
- No wheezing is heard during severe attacks
Accessory muscle use is indicative of what? The nurse knows the patient needs what if accessory muscle use is present?
- Respiratory distress
- STAT intervention
List the conditions involved in an asthma triad.
- Nasal polyps
- Asthma
- Sensitivity to salicylic acid (aspirin/ NSAIDS)
A patient with a known asthma triad develops wheezing 2 hours after ingesting food and drink that contain salicylic acid. What education should the nurse provide to this patient?
- Salicylic acid is found in certain foods which can result in latent wheezing upon digestion
- Educate patient to avoid these specific foods and drinks
What class(s) of drug(s) should be avoided in patients with asthma and COPD?
- Non-selective beta blockers
- ACE inhibitors
List non-selective beta blockers.
- Propranolol
- Nadolol
- Carvedilol
- Labetalol
List ACE inhibitors.
- Lisinopril
- Enalapril
- Captopril
- Quinapril
What is the priority nursing intervention for a patient who is scheduled for a spirometry study?
Hold bronchodilators 6 to 12 hours prior to study
What does a peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) measure?
- Maximum speed of expiration
- Airflow through the bronchioles
- Degree of obstruction
- Severity of condition
- Effectiveness of medications
The nurse knows what about the results of a peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR)?
- High results when well
- Low results when airflow is constricted
Peak flow results that are 80% to 100% of the patients personal best are in what zone?
Green zone
Peak flow results that are 50% to 80% of the patients personal best are in what zone?
Yellow zone
Peak flow results that are 50% or less of the patients personal best are in what zone?
Red zone
Peak flow results that are in the red zone indicate what?
- Serious problem
- Interventions needed
- Additional medications needed
List the nursing interventions for a patient who has a peak flow rate in the yellow zone.
Administer bronchodilator/short-acting-beta-agonist (SABA)
What diagnostic study is used to diagnose asthma and COPD?
Spirometry
List the steps in which a spirometry test is performed.
- Test
- Administer bronchodilator
- Wait 15 minutes
- Test again
- Compare results
A patient is having an acute asthma exacerbation. What is the desired outcome for this patient after receiving treatment?
Maintaining oxygen saturation >90%
The nurse examines the ABG results of a patient during the early phase of an asthma attack. The nurse expects this patient to be in what state? Why?
- Respiratory alkalosis
- Due to hyperventilation and hypoxia
The nurse examines the ABG results of a patient who has been experiencing a prolonged asthma attack. The nurse expects this patient to be in what state? Why?
- Respiratory acidosis
- Due to fatigue and decreased respiratory rate
The nurse knows that a patient in respiratory alkalosis related to a prolonged asthma attack is at an increased risk for what?
Respiratory failure
What can the nurse do when a patient has an ineffective breathing pattern?
Encourage pursed lip breathing
Pursed lip breathing will be ineffective if the patient does what? The nurse should educate the patient to do what instead?
- Puffs out their cheeks
- Relax their face
A patients oxygen saturation is 86% and they are displaying signs of respiratory distress. The nurse knows to not do what during this event?
-Do not leave the patient!
List bronchodilators/short-acting beta agonists (SABA) commonly given during an acute asthma exacerbation.
- Albuterol
- Inhaled ipratropium
List the common side effects of bronchodilators/short-acting beta agonists (SABA).
- Tremors
- Tachycardia
- Anxiety
- Palpitations
Which inhaled corticosteroid is the most common and considered the most effective at treating inflammation in patients with persistent asthma?
Fluticasone (Flovent)
Why is IV magnesium sulfate administered during a severe and life-threatening asthma exacerbation?
- Relaxes smooth muscle
- Enhances effects of bronchodilators
What is the drug class of Montelukast (Singulair)?
Leukotriene Receptor Antagonist (LTRA)
Which drug is often considered as a last resort for controlling asthma? Why?
- Montelukast (Singulair)
- Causes vivid nightmares, out-of-body experiences, and behavioral issues
Caffeine increases the absorption of which drug?
Theophylline
What is the therapeutic range for theophylline?
10 to 20 mcg/mL
A patient is admitted to the ED with a serum theophylline level of 27 mcg/mL, vomiting, and tachycardia. The nurse knows this patient is most likely suffering from what condition?
Theophylline toxicity
List the signs and symptoms of theophylline toxicity. Which signs and symptoms are associated with chronic theophylline toxicity?
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Tachycardia
- Seizures (chronic)
- Dysrhythmias (chronic)
List long-acting beta-agonists commonly prescribed for asthma control.
- Salmeterol
- Formoterol
- Arformoterol
Long-acting beta-agonists are used in combination with what other medication for asthma control?
Inhaled corticosteroids
What medication is given when high doses of corticosteroids are ineffective for a patient with asthma? What is the purpose of this drug?
- Omalizumab (Xolair)
- Reduces sensitivity to allergens
List the side effects of omalizumab.
- Flushing of skin
- Dizziness
- Anaphylactic reaction
The side effects of omalizumab (Xolair) may mimic what type of reaction? What is needed if this reaction occurs?
- Anaphylactic reaction
- STAT intervention!
What is alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT)? What is the relationship between alpha-1 antitrypsin and COPD?
- Protein produced in liver
- Aids in protecting lung tissue
-Severely low levels of serum AAT will genetically predispose a person to COPD
Individuals who smoke and have HIV are at the greatest risk for developing what disease?
COPD
Define chronic bronchitis.
Presence of cough and sputum for at least 3 months in each of two consecutive years
Define emphysema.
The destruction of alveoli
What education should the nurse provide to COPD patient about diet, mealtimes, and exercise?
- High calorie/high protein diet
- Schedule mealtimes and activities separate
- Don’t drink large amount of fluids with meals
- Eat high calorie snacks in between meals and at bedtime
When are patients with COPD most likely to seek out medical care?
- Experience difficulty breathing at rest
- Air hunger
A COPD patient is experiencing respiratory distress. What are the primary nursing interventions used to prevent air trapping and promote gas exchange?
- Tripod positioning/high-Fowlers
- Pursed lip breathing
- Apply oxygen
____________ is an increase in red blood cells (RBCs) and the bodies attempt to compensate for chronic hypoxemia.
Polycythemia
What clinical manifestation would be indicative of cor pulmonale?
Peripheral edema of ankles
Hemoglobin concentrations may reach _________ as a late manifestation of COPD.
20 g/dL or more
An elevated PCO2 level is known as what?
Hypercapnia
What does FEVI measure?
Forced expiratory volume in one minute
List the diagnostic studies used to determine how COPD affects a patients everyday life.
- COPD assessment test (CAT)
- Clinical COPD questionnaire (CCQ)
A patient completes a 6-minute walk test and maintains a oxygen saturation of 86% on room air. The nurse knows this patient will require what?
Supplemental oxygen
Describe the ABG’s of a COPD patient.
- Normal or low pH
- Elevated CO2
- Elevated HCO3
-Respiratory acidosis with metabolic alkalosis compensation!
A patient with COPD has been placed on supplemental oxygen. What is the best response by the nurse to encourage compliance by the patient?
Supplemental oxygen is a positive measure, it will improve the patients quality of life
A patient with COPD normally maintained on 1 LPM of supplemental O2 suddenly feels short of breath. The nurse should encourage the patient to do what? Why?
- Call the HCP
- SOB may be due to underlying condition
List the factors that determine the amount/rate of supplemental oxygen needed by a patient.
- ABGs
- Oxygen saturation
- Work of breathing
- Respiratory assessment
List the best methods for evaluating improvement in gas exchange.
- ABGs
- Oxygen saturation
Cystic fibrosis is an _________ _________ ________.
Autosomal recessive disorder
Both parents of a child are carriers of the cystic fibrosis gene, but neither parent has the disease. List the chances of the child being born with:
- Normal genes
- One normal and one abnormal gene
- Two abnormal genes
- 25%
- 50%
- 25%
Patients with cystic fibrosis are deficient in which enzymes?
- Amylase
- Lipase
- Protease
Enzyme deficiency in a patient with cystic fibrosis will lead to a ________ in absorption of nutrients.
Decrease
Describe the etiology of cystic fibrosis diabetes.
- Pancreas produces insulin
- Pancreas cannot keep up with carbohydrate intake
- Pancreas responds too late
Will a patient with cystic fibrosis diabetes have symptoms more closely matching DMI or DMII?
Both DMI and DMII
Describe the characteristics of secretions that are low in sodium and water.
- Very very thick
- Very sticky
- Highly concentrated
Why are cystic fibrosis patients more susceptible to antibiotic resistance?
Given a lot of antibiotics due to chronic respiratory infections
What is the average age for diagnosis of cystic fibrosis? What is the most common first indicator of cystic fibrosis?
- 5 months old
- Meconium ileus
List signs and symptoms of cystic fibrosis.
- Elevated salt in sweat
- Cough
- Thick/sticky mucus
- Wheezing
- Foul smelling, greasy stools
- Constipation
- Recurrent lung infections
List atypical symptoms of cystic fibrosis.
- Pancreatitis
- Infertility
List complications that result from cystic fibrosis.
- Diabetes
- Infertility
- Pneumothorax
- Respiratory failure
What test is commonly used to diagnose cystic fibrosis?
Sweat chloride test
Patients with cystic fibrosis will secrete ____ _______ the amount of sodium and chloride in their sweat when compared to a person without cystic fibrosis.
Four times
Sweat chloride values of ________ are considered positive for cystic fibrosis.
> 60 mmol/L
The nurse should educate a cystic fibrosis patient on what type of dietary measures?
- Take enzymes before meals and snacks to breakdown food
- Incorporate fat soluble vitamins
- Increase sodium intake during episodes of increased sweating
What is included in the hematological system?
- Blood
- Bone marrow
- Spleen
- Lymphatic system
List abnormal assessment findings of the lymph nodes.
- Tender
- Large
- Hard
- Fixed
Lymph nodes that are hard and fixed often indicate what complication?
Malignancy
What are bands? When are these present?
- Immature neutrophils
- During severe infection
The absolute neutrophil count (ANC) is composed of what?
- Bands
- Segs
Describe the term “shift to the left”.
-High absolute neutrophil count (ANC) indicates too many immature cells
A neutrophil count less then ______ indicates sepsis.
<500
What does a peripheral smear diagnostic study examine?
Morphology or shape of cells
A platelet count <100,000 is indicative of what condition?
Thrombocytopenia
What type of antibodies are present in plasma of Group A blood cells?
Anti-B
What type of antibodies are present in plasma of Group B blood cells?
Anti-A
What type of antibodies are present in plasma of Group AB blood cells?
None
What type of antibodies are present in plasma of Group O blood cells?
Anti-A and Anti-B
What type of antigens are present on Group A red blood cells?
A antigen
What type of antigens are present on Group B red blood cells?
B antigen
What type of antigens are present on Group AB red blood cells?
A and B antigens
What type of antigens are present on Group O red blood cells?
No antigens
What blood type is considered the universal donor?
O negative (O-)
What blood type is considered the universal recipient?
AB positive (AB+)
It is imperative that the nurse know the patients blood types prior/during what procedures/instances?
- Blood transfusions
- Surgery
- Pregnancy
The patient has A+ blood. As the nurse, you know the patient can receive what type(s) of blood?
O+
O-
A+
A-
The patient has A- blood. As the nurse, you know the patient can receive what type(s) of blood?
O-
A-
The patient has B+ blood. As the nurse, you know the patient can receive what type(s) of blood?
O-
O+
B-
B+
The patient has B- blood. As the nurse, you know the patient can receive what type(s) of blood?
O-
B-
The patient has O+ blood. As the nurse, you know the patient can receive what type(s) of blood?
O-
O+
The patient has O- blood. As the nurse, you know the patient can receive what type(s) of blood?
O-
The patient has AB+ blood. As the nurse, you know the patient can receive what type(s) of blood?
O- O+ A- A+ B- B+ AB- AB+
The patient has AB- blood. As the nurse, you know the patient can receive what type(s) of blood?
O-
A-
B-
AB-
The patient has A+ blood. As the nurse, you know the patient can donate what type(s) of blood?
A+
AB+
The patient has A- blood. As the nurse, you know the patient can donate what type(s) of blood?
A-
A+
AB-
AB+