Week 6: Laryngitis (upper airway disorder)

Question 1

Causes of Acute Laryngitis

Answer 1

• upper respiratory infections
• environmental pollutants
• gastroesophageal disease (GERD)
• asthma inhalers
• vocal misuse or strain
• endotracheal intubation can cause laryngeal edema resulting in acute laryngitis

Question 2

How can Vocal Strain Occur?

Answer 2

from prolonged periods of talking, which may be seen in teachers or lawyers
ex: screaming or having to talk loudly as a result of environmental noise, or in attempts to communicate with someone with hearing loss

Question 3

Complications

Answer 3

lung or throat cancer

Question 4

What is Laryngitis?

Answer 4

-most common disorder of the larynx

inflammation of the mucous membranes of the larynx

Question 5

Clinical Manifestations

Answer 5

-hoarseness
-cough
-post-nasal drip
-fatigue
-malaise
>can last 7-10 days
-other: dry throat, difficulty swallowing and eating, fever and cough
-extreme airway obstruction or stridor an occur after endotracheal extubation

Question 6

Stridor

Answer 6

a high-pitched, wheezing breath sound caused by turbulent airflow in the partially obstructed larynx

• can be heard after endotracheal extubation
• is a medical emergency

Question 7

Diagnosis of Laryngitis

Answer 7

based on patient complaint of hoarseness related to a current or recent upper respiratory infection

Question 8

Diagnostic Procedures

Answer 8

• may require visual examination of the larynx by an ear, nose, and throat specialist through the use of a laryngeal mirror or fiberoptic laryngoscopy
• in patients with risk factors for developing cancer of the throat and lungs, further diagnostic evaluation may be warranted

Question 9

Treatment Procedures

Answer 9

• voice rest
• adding moisture to the air with a humidifier or vaporizer
• drinking plenty of fluids

Question 10

Treatment: Medications

Answer 10

use of antibiotics in the setting of bacterial infection

Question 11

Nursing Care

Answer 11

• assess vital signs (temperature elevation may indicate infection)
• assess throat structures (increased edema of the throat structures could compromise the patency of the airway)
• assess for stridor after extubation (stridor indicates acute obstruction of the airway and is a medical emergency)

Question 12

Client Education

Answer 12

• avoid irritants
• avoidance of smoking or second hand smoke
• rest the voice
• medication use; complete all prescribed
• increase fluid intake