Respiratory Issues Flashcards
COPD
COPD is diagnosed through patient history (smoking, cough, dyspnea), physical assessment (barrel chest, wheezing), and diagnostic tests (PFTs, chest X-ray, ABGs).
ABGs show respiratory acidosis with hypoxia, CBC may show polycythemia, and sputum culture to rule out infections.
Monitor respiratory status, administer oxygen therapy, encourage pursed-lip breathing, educate on smoking cessation, and promote pulmonary rehabilitation.
Bronchodilators (albuterol, ipratropium), corticosteroids (prednisone), inhaled steroids (fluticasone), and oxygen therapy.
Asthma
Asthma is diagnosed based on patient history (wheezing, cough, chest tightness, shortness of breath), physical exam (wheezing on auscultation), and diagnostic tests (spirometry, peak flow measurement, and allergy testing).
ABG’s, peak flow meter, allergy testing
Monitor respiratory status, assess peak flow, provide bronchodilator treatments as ordered, educate on trigger avoidance, and teach proper inhaler technique.
Bronchodilators: Albuterol (SABA), Salmeterol (LABA)
Inhaled Corticosteroids: Fluticasone, Budesonide
Leukotriene Modifiers: Montelukast
Mast Cell Stabilizers: Cromolyn
Combination Inhalers: Fluticasone/salmeterol (Advair)
Influenza
Influenza is diagnosed through patient history (fever, chills, cough, sore throat, muscle aches), physical exam (fever, respiratory symptoms), and diagnostic tests (rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs), PCR, or viral cultures).
Monitor vital signs, especially temperature, administer antipyretics for fever, encourage fluid intake, provide comfort measures (e.g., rest, cough suppressant), and educate on proper hand hygiene and vaccination.
Antivirals: Oseltamivir (Tamiflu), Zanamivir (Relenza) (start within 48 hours of symptom onset).
Antipyretics/Analgesics: Acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever and muscle aches.
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is diagnosed based on patient history (fever, cough, sputum production, shortness of breath), physical exam (crackles or wheezes on auscultation, dullness to percussion), and diagnostic tests (chest X-ray, sputum culture, blood cultures, CBC).
Monitor vital signs, especially temperature and oxygen saturation, encourage coughing and deep breathing, administer oxygen as needed, assist with sputum production (e.g., chest physiotherapy), and educate on vaccination and smoking cessation.
Antibiotics: Ceftriaxone, Levofloxacin (for bacterial pneumonia)
Antivirals: Oseltamivir (for viral pneumonia like influenza) Pain Relievers/Antipyretics: Acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever and pain
Bronchodilators: Albuterol if wheezing is present.
Pulmonary Embolism
Pulmonary embolism is diagnosed based on patient history (recent surgery, immobility, or history of deep vein thrombosis), physical exam (tachypnea, tachycardia, hypoxia, pleuritic chest pain), and diagnostic tests (CT pulmonary angiography, D-dimer, V/Q scan).
Monitor respiratory and cardiovascular status (vital signs, oxygen saturation), administer oxygen as needed, elevate the head of the bed for comfort, encourage deep breathing exercises, ensure anticoagulant therapy (e.g., heparin, warfarin), and monitor for signs of bleeding.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is diagnosed through patient history (loud snoring, witnessed apneas, excessive daytime sleepiness), physical exam (obesity, enlarged tonsils, nasal obstruction), and diagnostic tests (Polysomnography or sleep study).
Monitor for excessive daytime sleepiness, assess for fatigue and poor concentration, educate on weight loss, positional therapy, and avoiding alcohol or sedatives, and provide guidance on the use of CPAP or BiPAP machines.
CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure): For moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea to maintain airway patency during sleep.
BiPAP (Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure): For central sleep apnea or when CPAP is not effective.
