Upper Respiratory Health Challanges Flashcards
Acute viral rhinitis
Runny nose, sneezing, congestion, postnasal drip, cough, and a low-grade fever.
Acute viral vs. Allergic rhinitis
Acute is cause by a common cold, allergic is caused immediately in response to a trigger ( allergies ).
Sinusitis
(Sinus infection) swelling, blocked and runny nose.
Peritonsillar abscess
An area of pus-filled tissue at the back of the mouth, next to one of the tonsils.
Airway obstruction
Occlusion or narrowing of the airways leading to compromise in ventilation.
What predisposes a patient to epistaxis (nosebleed)?
-Asprin, NSAIDs, and conditions prolonging bleeding time and altering platelet counts predispose clients to epistaxis.
Management of epistaxis
-keep client quiet
-Place in a sitting position, leaning forward, or if not possible in a reclining position with head and shoulders elevated.
-apply pressure by pinching nose for 10-15 miniutes.
-Apply ice compress to the forehead and have suck on ice.
-Apply digital pressure if bleeding continues.
-obtain medical assistance if bleeding does not stop.
Obstructive sleep apnea
Partial or complete upper airway obstruction during sleep. Apneic period may include hypoexmia and hypercapina.
Obstructive sleep apnea CM
-Excessive daytime sleepiness
-Frequent nighttime waking
-Insomnia
-Loud snoring
-Morning headaches
-Intellectual disorientation
-personality changes, irritability
-Impotance
-Systemic hypertension
-Dysrhythmias
-Pulmonary hypertension
-Polycythemia
-Enuresis
Mild obstructive sleep apnea
-5-10 apnea or hyponea events per hour
Mild obstructive sleep apnea TX
-Sleep on one’s side
-Elevating head of bed
-Avoiding sedatives and alcohol for 3-4 hours before sleep
-Weight loss
-Oral appliance
Severe obstructive sleep apnea
<15 apnea or hyponea events per hour
Severe obstructive sleep apnea TX
-CPAP
-BiPAP
-Surgery
•tonsillectomy
•uvulo-pallate-pharyngoplasty
Acute pharyngitis
Acute inflammation of the pharyngeal walls
-may include tonsils, palate, and uvula
-most often caused by a virus, but can be a bacterial or fungal infection.
Acute pharyngitis CM
-range from “scratchy throat” to severe pain.
-Appearance not always diagnostic; cultures or rapid strep antigen test needed
Tonsillitis
-Presistent, rec current sore throat
-Enlarged, bright red tonsils covered with white exudate
-Difficulty swallowing
-Fever
-Mouth breathing and halitosis
-Nasal-quality speech
-Snoring
-Obstructive sleep apnea
Tonsillectomy (post-op interventions)
-Assess operative site
-Ice collar
-Analgesia
-Ice chips/water
-Discourage coughing, clearing throat, blowing nose
Tonsillectomy (hemorrhage at operative site in an emergency)
-Assess expectorant
-Prevent swallowing blood
-Assess VS
-Contact surgeon
-Obtain IV access
