Asthma & COPD
The number one cause/risk factor for developing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
What is smoking?
To prevent viral replication, antiviral medications such as Oseltamivir must be initiated within this window of symptom onset in influenza patients.
What is 24 to 48 hours?
This key clinical hallmark of ARDS occurs when hypoxemia does not improve despite administering high concentrations of supplemental oxygen.
What is Refractory Hypoxemia?
This paradoxical chest movement occurs when 3 or more adjacent ribs are fractured in 2 or more places.
What is Flail Chest?
This breathing technique prolongs exhalation, prevents airway collapse, and promotes gas exchange in clients with COPD and severe dyspnea.
What is Pursed-Lip Breathing?
The three classic, primary clinical signs of an acute asthma exacerbation are dyspnea, wheezing, and this symptom.
What is cough?
When evaluating a PPD tuberculin skin test, a reactive induration of 5 mm is considered positive in patients with this underlying condition or exposure history.
What is HIV / AIDS (or recent exposure to an active TB case)?
What is the most common underlying cause/risk factor for the development of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)?
What is Sepsis?
Beck's Triad—hypotension, muffled heart sounds, and distended neck veins—is indicative of this life-threatening cardiac complication of chest trauma.
What is Cardiac Tamponade?
Which TB medication is notorious for causing a harmless, reddish-orange discoloration of urine, tears, sweat, and other body fluids?
What is Rifampin?
A patient presenting with a 2:2 AP chest diameter, pink-toned skin from elevated CO2 cachexia, and minimal cough is classically described by this clinical moniker.
What is a "Pink Puffer" (Emphysema)?
A patient with suspected bacterial pneumonia must have these two diagnostic cultures collected BEFORE initiating anti-infective therapy.
What are Blood cultures and Sputum cultures?
Chest X-rays in a patient with ARDS characteristically present with bilateral pulmonary infiltrates displaying this distinct descriptive appearance.
What is a "Ground glass" (or "White-out" / "Snow screen") appearance?
Tracheal deviation toward the unaffected side, combined with absent lung sounds and severe hypotension, signifies this emergency condition.
What is a Tension Pneumothorax?
When positioning a patient with unilateral lung disease (e.g., pneumonia in one lung) to maximize ventilation-perfusion matching, how should the nurse position the patient?
What is with the "Good lung down" (unaffected lung dependent)?
Updated 2023 stepwise guidelines recommend using a combination of Budesonide and this specific LABA as a rescue inhaler due to its rapid onset of action.
What is Formoterol?
Patients with active Tuberculosis must be placed on Airborne Precautions in a negative-pressure room. What specific protective equipment must healthcare workers wear prior to entering?
What is a Respirator mask (N-95)?
Name the most commonly ordered diagnostic imaging scan used to confirm a Pulmonary Embolism (PE).
What is a Spiral Computed Tomography (CT) scan with contrast?
Constant, continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber of a chest tube drainage system indicates what problem?
What is an air leak?
How should a open, penetrating "sucking" chest wound be dressed immediately in the emergency setting?
What is with a sterile occlusive dressing taped on THREE sides?
During an acute asthma attack, a patient's wheezing suddenly stops and breath sounds become completely absent. What urgent complication does this indicate?
What is total airway blockage / complete respiratory obstruction (or respiratory failure)?
Name the primary diagnostic test for Cystic Fibrosis that measures electrolyte concentration in sweat, and name the inheritance pattern of CF.
What is the Sweat Chloride Test and Autosomal Recessive?
What non-invasive positioning strategy is frequently used for mechanically ventilated ARDS patients to improve oxygenation by directing blood flow to aerated anterior lung zones?
What is Prone positioning?
If a patient's chest tube accidentally disconnects from the drainage unit, what immediate action should the nurse take to prevent air from entering the pleural space?
What is submerging/placing the end of the chest tube in a bottle of sterile water?
When a physician orders the removal of a chest tube, what maneuver should the nurse instruct the patient to perform during the pull?
What is the Valsalva maneuver (bearing down / holding breath)?