Respiratory - Unit 3 - Problems of the upper respiratory tract Flashcards
What does the nose do to the air we breathe?
Warms air! So if it’s got a problem…
What do we assess for with the nose?
Asymmetry, lesions, inflammation, look inside nares
Swollen and red nose =
Swollen and pink nose =
Rudolph —
Just kidding. Swollen and RED = Cold
Swollen and PINK = allergies.
With the pharynx (back of throat and such) what are we looking for?
Color, symmetry, exudate, ulceration, enlargement, etc.
What are we looking for with the trachea?
Is it MIDLINE!!
What might we use nasal packing for?
Should we know how to remove it?
If someone has a nosebleed!
We should know how to remove it in case there is an emergency.
What are balloon catheters used for?
Nose bleeds!
What are mustache dressings used for?
Rhinoplasty, neuro OR - it’s tape under the nose.
What are some symptoms of a cold?
Nasal congestion, sore throat, cough, sneezing, malaise, fever/chills.
What is rhinitis?
viral or bacterial cause - inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose - caused by a foreign body in the nose, structural deformities, neoplasms, chronic use of nasal decongestants
What is rhinitis a side effect of?
Cocaine, antihypertensives, PO contraceptives
What is acute pharyngitis?
Sore throat - usually caused by a virus, typically Group A Strep
What are some symptoms of pharyngitis?
Sore throat, swollen cervical lymph nodes, hoarseness, cough, rhinitis
What’s a complication of pharyngitis if left untreated and it’s caused by strep A?
Rheumatic fever!
How do we treat pharyngitis?
Penicillin (if bacterial!), fluids, bedrest while febrile, comfort (warm saline gargle, ice collar, analgesics), antitussives, mouth care
What is chronic pharyngitis? Who is it common in?
Pharyngitis that is lasting a long time. Common in adults who work or live in dusty surroundings (singers, public speakers), those who suffer from chronic cough, habitually use tobacco/alcohol.
What is acute sinusitis?
Inflammation of mucous membranes in sinuses
How do we treat acute sinusitis?
Control infection (broad spectrum antibiotics), shrink nasal mucosa (head – shower), relieve pain, promote drainage (inhale steam, increase fluids, apply local heat)
What is chronic sinusitis?
Chronic nasal obstruction - discharge and edema of the nasal passages
What are some symptoms of chronic sinusitis?
Cough (constant nasal dripping causes this), chronic headache, fatigue
Is the treatment for chronic sinusitis the same or different as that of acute sinusitis?
THE SAME! :)
Might someone with chronic sinusitis need surgery?
Yes, they might need a functional endoscopic sinus surgery - corrects deformities, deviated septums, polyps, drains sinuses, etc.
If someone has sinus/nose surgery, what might we need to tell them to do?
Facial compresses, humidification!, no coughing/sneezing/vomiting, and check BP twice a day
What are some complications of sinusitis?
Orbital cellulitis, subperiosteal abcess, meningitis, brain abscess (fever, severe headache, nucchal rigidity)
Displaced nose fracture = HORRIBLE. T/F?
False - they’ll be fine. It’ll go back to normal.