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Veterinary Nursing VN07 > Respiratory pathology and nursing care > Flashcards

Respiratory pathology and nursing care Flashcards

1
Q

Define RESPIRATION

A

The gaseous exchange between an animal and its environment

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2
Q

Define the ACID BASE BALANCE

A

The balance between acids and bases in the body. It influences the maintenance of pH in the body and particularly in the blood. It may be respiratory or metabolic in nature

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3
Q

Define ACIDAEMIA

A

A blood pH of less than 7.35

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4
Q

Define ALKALAEMIA

A

A blood pH of more than 7.45

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5
Q

Define RESPIRATORY ACIDOSIS

A

A drop in the pH levels in the blood caused by hypoventilation, leading to hypercapnia and subsequent increased CO2 in the blood. The blood will become acidic. The patient will usually start with bluish mucous membranes which will turn brick red due to congestion

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6
Q

Define RESPIRATORY ALKALOSIS

A

A rise in the pH levels in the blood, caused by hyperventilation, which leads to hypocapnia, and increased oxygen levels in the blood, which then becomes alkaline.

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7
Q

What are some possible caused for hyperventilation?

A

The patient may be panicking, painful, or pregnant - the foetus in the abdomen causes reduced space for full respiratory function

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8
Q

What are the components of the upper respiratory tract?

A

The nasal cavity, the pharynx, larynx and trachea

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9
Q

Define OLFACTION

A

The sense of smell. An upper respiratory tract infection can affect a patient’s sense of smell

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10
Q

Define RHINITIS

A

Inflammation of the mucous membranes which cover the nasal lining. May produce mucous which can be clear (indicating it is viral) or yellow (indicating it is bacterial)

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11
Q

Define PHARYNGITIS

A

Inflammation of the pharynx which may result in dysphagia and lead to laryngitis

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12
Q

Define DYSPHAGIA

A

Difficulty swallowing food or water

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13
Q

Define LARYNGITIS

A

Inflammation of the larynx, which may affect the animals vocalisation

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14
Q

Define TRACHEITIS

A

Inflammation of the trachea, which is often accompanied by bronchitis. Can occur with both upper and lower respiratory tract infections

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15
Q

Define SINUSITIS

A

Inflammation of the sinuses which can cause the patient to scratch at the sinuses or head press

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16
Q

Define TONSILLITIS

A

Inflammation of the tonsils, which may cause dysphasia, retching and loss of voice

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17
Q

What are the generalised clinical signs of nasal disease?

A

Sneezing, snorting, facial swelling, facial rubbing, dyspnoea, and nasal discharge

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18
Q

What are the four different types of nasal discharge?

A

Serous, mucoid, mucopurulent, or bloody

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19
Q

What are some of the causes of coughing?

A

Irritation, foreign body, bacterial infection, congestive heart failure, lungworm, tracheal collapse, bronchitis, neoplastic changes

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20
Q

What are some common causes of coughing in dogs?

A

Distemper, KC, aspergillus, foreign bodies such as grass blades or seeds

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21
Q

What are some common causes of coughing in cats?

A

FURD, Chlamydophila, foreign bodies such as grass blades or seeds, neoplasia, trauma

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22
Q

What are some of the causes of epistaxis?

A

Trauma, neoplasia, coagulopathies, and fungal infections

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23
Q

What are some diagnostics that may be used for upper respiratory tract infections?

A
  • Radiography of the nasal chambers and the thorax
  • Rhinoscopy
  • MRI or CT
  • Bacterial or fungal culture
  • Nasal flush for cytology
  • Nasal biopsy and histopathology
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24
Q

What are the components of the lower respiratory tract?

A

The bronchi, bronchioles and alveoli

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25
Define DYSPNOEA
Difficulty breathing
26
Define APNOEA
Cessation of breathing
27
Define TACHYPNOEA
Increased respiration rate
28
Define ORTHOPNOEA
Dyspnoea that is present in lateral recumbency that resolves in sternal recumbency
29
Define HYPOXIA
Low oxygen availability
30
Define HYPERCAPNIA
Increased levels of carbon dioxide in the blood, often a result of hypoventilation
31
Define CYANOSIS
Bluish mucous membranes and tongue as a result of reduced levels of oxygen reaching tissues
32
What are some conditions that may affect the lower respiratory tract?
Bronchitis, pneumonia, pleurisy, exudative pleurisy
33
Define BRONCHITIS
Inflammation of the bronchi; often accompanies tracheitis, and can occur with both upper and lower respiratory tract infection
34
What are some clinical signs of bronchitis?
Coughing, accompanied by phlegm and discharge
35
Define PNEUMONIA
Severe inflammation of one or both of the lungs, usually secondary to another respiratory issue. Usually accompanied by pleurisy
36
Define PLEURISY
Inflammation of the pleura surrounding the lungs; a build up of fluid between the pleural membrane. Usually accompanies pneumonia
37
Define EXUDATIVE PLEURISY
A condition in case caused by infection with feline coronavirus. Pus collects in the thoracic cavity, resulting in a pyothorax. Pus should be removed and the cavity flushed with saline, accompanied by extended antibiotic therapy. High mortality rate
38
How can left sided heart failure affect the lower respiratory tract?
It causes respiratory congestion which usually affects the lungs
39
What are some nursing implications for respiratory disease?
- monitor vital signs closely - utilise barrier nursing and reverse barrier nursing - give prescribed medications - supportive IVFT to replace lost fluids - warming food to prevent anorexia - humidifying air via steam therapy - keeping eyes/ears/nose clean to prevent secondary infection - grooming and interaction to prevent lethargy and depression
40
What are some medications that are generally prescribed by the vet in cases of respiratory disease?
Pain relief, usually NSAIDs, antitussive, such as butorphanol, and mucolytics such as bisolvon
41
What does tracheal disease include?
May be tracheitis or tracheal collapse
42
What type of dogs is tracheal collapse particularly prevalent in?
Elderly dogs may suffer with a flattening of the trachea Obese, middle ages dogs are commonly affected, particularly Yorkshire Terriers
43
What are the clinical signs of tracheal disease?
A dry, hacking cough, exercise intolerance and a honking noise
44
How is tracheal disease diagnosed?
Via history taking and clinical exam
45
What does nursing care for patients with tracheal disease involve?
- use of a head collar or harness to prevent pressure around the neck - exercise restriction - diet discussion, especially in obese and tracheal collapse patients - avoidance of dusty, smoky or dry environments
46
What does the thoracic cavity contain?
The heart, lungs, oesophagus, vessels etc
47
How does the presence of air or fluid in the thoracic cavity affect the patient?
Both can reduce the amount that the lungs are able to inflate on each breath, which impairs their function - the amount of oxygen pulled into the active portion of the lung is reduced
48
What is extra pulmonary disease?
Pathologies that affect the respiratory system that may arise from other sources, such as extrapulmonary tuberculosis
49
What are some examples of extra pulmonary disease?
Extrapulmonary tuberculosis, neoplasia, ascites
50
Define ANTHROPONOTIC
A disease which is transmissible from humans to animals - a 'reverse zoonosis'
51
What is a key example of an anthroponotic disease?
Extrapulmonary tuberculosis
52
What are some clinical signs of extra pulmonary disease?
Tachypnoea, shallow respiration, orthopnoea, dyspnoea, cyanosis, severe respiratory distress, shock, collapse.
53
What is a pneumothorax and what causes it?
Accumulation of air in the thoracic cavity. May be caused by trauma to the thorax wall, which may be blunt or penetrating
54
What are the two types of pneumothorax?
Open (where air is sucked in from the outside) Closed (where the lung is penetrated and the air leaks from it)
55
What is a haemothorax and what is its cause?
Accumulation of blood in the thoracic cavity; may be due to trauma or disease affecting the blood vessels in the thoracic cavity
56
What is a hydrothorax and what is its cause?
Accumulation of clear, often watery fluid in the thoracic cavity; can be caused by hypoproteinaemia, congestive heart failure, neoplasia. May be associated with FIP
57
What is hypoproteinaemia?
Low levels of protein in the blood - can cause the leakage of fluid from blood vessels and can result in a hydrothorax
58
What is a pyothorax and what is its cause?
Accumulation of pus or exudate in the thoracic cavity. May be a result of bacterial infection, FIP, neoplasia
59
How will a patient with pyothorax present?
Pyrexic and systemically unwell.
60
What is a chylothorax and what is its cause?
Accumulation of chyle in the thoracic cavity. May be a result of trauma to the thoracic duct, or congenital abnormalities with the thoracic duct
61
What is a diaphragmatic rupture?
A condition in which a break in the diaphragm causes abdominal organs to move into the thoracic cavity
62
What are the possibly causes of a diaphragmatic rupture?
Trauma - commonly seen in RTA victims Congenital defects of the diaphragm
63
What are some possible signs of diaphragmatic rupture?
Depends on the severity of the rupture - in cases of sudden trauma the patient will likely be dyspnoeic, but the degree of dyspnoea will range from barely detectable to fatal. Bloating may be seen if the stomach is trapped within the hernia. Longer term, milder cases may be seen with generalised weight loss
64
How is a diaphragmatic hernia/rupture diagnosed?
Via x-rays to show displacement of the abdominal organs and changes in the shape of the diaphragm
65
How is a diaphragmatic hernia/rupture repaired?
Surgical repair is the only treatment
66
What is feline upper respiratory tract disease?
Also known as cat flu, it is a highly contagious, common syndrome with a high morbidity but low mortality rate, made up of FCV and FHV-1
67
What two viruses make up feline upper respiratory tract disease?
FHV-1 (Feline herpes virus 1) and FCV (feline calici virus)
68
What is FHV-1?
Feline herpes virus, one of the components that make up feline upper respiratory tract disease. It is a DNA virus, capable of surviving for up to 8 weeks without its host. Recovery is long, and it can be fatal if left untreated. Infected cats often become carriers following infection
69
What is another name for FHV-1?
Feline rhinotracheitis (FVR)
70
How long can FHV-1 survive off its host?
Up to 8 weeks
71
What percentage of FHV-1 sufferers become carriers following infection?
More than 80%
72
What is FCV?
Feline calicivirus, one of the components of feline upper respiratory tract disease (cat flu)
73
What is the normal incubation period for cat flu?
Generally 2-10 days
74
How is feline upper respiratory tract disease transmitted?
The virus is present in large amounts in saliva, tears, and nasal discharge. Environment poses a significant threat for up to a week after an individual has left. Infection is usually via the inhalation of droplets - the virus replicates in local lymph nodes before targeting the epithelial cells of the respiratory tract and conjunctiva
75
Define MORBIDITY
The number of patients affected by a disease
76
Define MORTALITY
The number of patients with a disease who died within a certain population
77
What are the clinical signs of feline upper respiratory tract disease?
- oral ulceration of the hard and soft palates, esp in calicivirus cases - paroxysmal sneezing - nasoocular discharge - enlarged lymph nodes - chemosis - secondary eye infections such as conjunctivitis - coughing and dyspnoea, especially if pneumonia develops - pyrexia - inappetence and depression - regular flare ups and impaired immune systems
78
Define PAROXYSMAL SNEEZING
Sharp, sudden sneezes that occur many times a day
79
Define CHEMOSIS
Swelling of the conjunctiva
80
How should FURD patients be nursed?
- barrier nursing, and placed in isolation - regular monitoring of vital signs, including hydration status and weight - regular cleaning of the eyes/nose/face - steam therapy/nebulisation - assisted feeding if required, warmed palatable food if not - IVFT and medication as prescribed - one to one attention - owner education on contamination risk, vaccine protocols, carrier state of patient
81
How many air changes should an isolation ward have per hour?
12-20 air changes per hour
82
What is kennel cough complex?
A highly infectious disease that can affect dogs of any age, characterised by a dry, hacking cough and retching
83
What agents can cause kennel cough?
There are 5 in total: - bordetella brochiseptica - parainfluenza virus - canine herpes virus - mycoplasma - canine reovirus
84
What are the clinical signs of kennel cough?
A dry hacking cough - it is often unproductive but can be accompanied by foamy discharge, and retching
85
How is kennel cough transmitted?
Usually via dog to dog contact and aerosol droplets which localise in the respiratory system. Morbidity is high, mortality is low - most dogs remain bright and alert unless also affected by bronchopneumonia
86
How can kennel cough present?
Patients can present bright and alert alongside the classic dry hacking cough and retching.
87
How can kennel cough escalate in severity?
It may develop into bronchopneumonia which will result in anorexia, pyrexia, depression, tachypnoea and dyspnoea.
88
How quickly will dogs exposed to KC display clinical signs?
Within 4 days, but some may show signs in as little as 24 hours
89
What is the treatment usually given for kennel cough?
Usually it is self limiting, but antibiotics such as tetracylines can be used to reduce length of clinical symptoms and prevent risk of secondary infections. Antitussives such as codeine or butorphanol can be used if the patient has not developed a bronchopneumonia
90
How should kennel cough patients be nursed?
- barrier nursed and kept in isolation kennels - monitoring of vital signs - monitoring nutrition - administering medication as prescribed - general care, keeping them clean etc - disinfection of kennels/wards/consults rooms when they have left - often they are aerosol 'bombed' - owner education for vaccine protocols, and for any other dogs in the household.

Veterinary Nursing VN07 (13 decks)

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