CF Basics
A progressive, genetic disease that affects the lungs, pancreas, and other organs.
What is Cystic Fibrosis (CF)?
Thick, sticky mucus
What buildups in the body & causes symptoms?
Enzymes, antibiotics, vitamins, inhaled corticosteroids, bronchodilators, chest physical therapy.
What are medications & treatments for Cystic Fibrosis?
A surgically placed tube inserted through the belly that brings nutrition directly to the stomach.
What is a gastrostomy tube aka G tube?
Can stay for days, weeks, or even years.
How long do G tubes stay in?
A genetic/ defective mutation
What is the cause of CF?
Frequent bulky, greasy stools, fats in stool, stomach pain, malnutrition.
What are GI signs & symptoms in CF?
Bronchodilators
What is the breathing treatment used to open the airways?
Ensures a child, who may be failure to thrive (FTT), receive supplemental feeding, hydration, & calories that they need.
Why do I have/need a G tube?
Call the doctor's office
What to do if I see G tube complications?
Pancreatic enzymes
What do I need to take with all my meals?
Cough, wheezing, recurrent lung infections, clubbing of fingers & toes.
What are respiratory signs & symptoms in CF?
Vibrates the chest to loosen & thin mucus.
What are vest treatments or chest physical therapy?
infection, diarrhea, skin issues around the site, obstruction, and displacement
What are complications of a G tube?
by mouth and via G tube
What are ways to eat with a G tube?
Pancreas is under-active & insufficient in supplying enzymes.
Why do I need to take pancreatic enzymes?
Females have the ability to reproduce, puberty may be delayed. Males cannot reproduce.
What are reproductive problems in CF?
destroy or slow down the growth of bacteria
What do antibiotics do?
with clean hands clean the skin around and flush with 30 ml of water
How to care for a G tube?
Pancreatic enzymes, vitamins, high calorie, high fat food.
What diet to follow to boost growth & nutrition?
Sweat chloride test, chest x-ray, pulmonary function tests, stool fat & enzyme analysis.
What are some diagnostic + evaluation test for CF?
Worsening symptoms such as more mucus than usual, cannot breathe, severe stomach pain, coughing up blood.
When to see a doctor?
The seasonal flu vaccine
What is the important vaccines a person with CF and family should get?
wash hands thoroughly, check placement, attach 60cc syringe and pull back on the plunger (if yellow-green fluid, you're in the right place), if pulled back a large amount do not administer.
What are the steps to providing feeds through a G tube?
What is the process to remove a G tube?