RSV: Tiny Airways, Big Problems
This is the primary way Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) spreads from person to person.
What is direct contact with respiratory secretions or contaminated surfaces?
This is how tuberculosis is primarily spread from person to person
What is airborne transmission through respiratory droplets?
Name 2 risk factors for pneumonia
Immature, compromised, or immunosuppressed system
Infants, young children, & older adults
Chronic conditions (may be debilitated or weakened because of condition such as chronic cardiac or respiratory conditions)
Frequent exposure to cigarette smoke
Alcohol or drug abuse
Un-immunized
When assessing your patient suspected of having meningitis, their hip flexes when chin is tucked and neck flexed, this is called what?
What is Brudzinski’s sign?
Describe the expected appearance of the tympanic membrane in a patient with otitis media.
What is red, dull, bulging?
These two age groups are considered at highest risk for severe illness from RSV.
What are infants/young children and older adults?
This test is used to screen for tuberculosis exposure.
What is the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) or Interferon-Gamma Release Assay (IGRA)?
These are signs that a child with a respiratory disease such as Pneumonia is decompensating.
What is nasal flaring, retractions, and grunting?
This diagnositic test is the best way to diagnose meningitis.
What is a lumbar puncture?
This is a common sign of otitis media, especially in children who cannot communicate their pain.
What is tugging or pulling at ears?
These are common symptoms of RSV infection in infants,
What are coughing, wheezing, nasal congestion, and difficulty breathing?
This is the major nursing teaching point about tuberculosis medication therapy to prevent drug resistance.
What is taking all medications for the full prescribed duration?
Name 3 treatments for a patient diagnosed with Pnemonia.
What is
Airway management
Increased fluid / adequate nutrition
2500–3000 mL/day
Supplemental Oxygen
Increase mobility with rest periods
Place in Fowler or high-Fowler position
Encourage position changes & ambulation
Set goals
Teach deep-breathing & coughing
Incentive spirometer
Provide emotional support and reassurance
Suctioning if needed
This is the primary type of treatment provided for most viral meningitis cases.
What is supportive care (fluids, rest, pain and fever management)?
Patients with prolonged or recurrent ear infections may have to have this kind of treatment.
What is myringotomy (ear tubes)?
This is the primary type of treatment for most RSV infections since antibiotics are not effective.
What is supportive care?
Name 3 groups that are at highest risk for Tuberculosis (TB)?
Who are those with...
HIV/AIDS
Weakened immune system or diabetes
Undernutrition, alcohol use disorder, smoking tobacco
Socioeconomically disadvantaged; born outside of the United STates
Racial, ethnic minorities
Poor urban areas hardest hit
Overcrowded institutions such as Hospitals, homeless shelters, drug treatment centers, prisons,
residential facilities
Prolonged contact with infectious individual
Healthcare personnel
What is 1 local effect and 1 systemic effect of Pneumonia?
Local effects: Cough with excessive mucus production, Dyspnea, Possible hemoptysis, Chest pain
Systemic effects: Fever, Diminished appetite and malaise, Cyanosis, decreased 02 saturation, Mental status changes, Abnormal lung sounds, Use of accessory muscles
Name 2 risk factors for bacterial meningitis
What is alcoholism, head injury, college students, and diabetics?
Eardrop administration
Medication side effects
Complete medication regimen
Follow up as instructed with physician
Preventative measures
Avoid rapid changes in elevation
Report abrupt pain relief
spontaneous perforation
Elevate head of bed
If left untreated may lead to pneumonia
This is the most important nursing intervention to prevent RSV spread in healthcare and community settings.
What is hand hygiene?
These are the classic symptoms of active tuberculosis infection, often described as a triad.
What are persistent cough, night sweats, and weight loss (often with hemoptysis)?
Name 3 reasons older adults are at increased risk of Pneumonia.
Decreased cilia, and decreased cough and gag reflexes
Dehydration
Smoking history
Surgeries
Age-related changes and disease of respiratory and cardiac systems
Decreased immune system
Decreased mobility
Decreased appetite & malnutrition
Medications (multiple)
Decreased ability to fight infectious processes
Name 4 signs and symptoms of meningitis.
What are headaches, altered mental status, photophobia, high fever, seizures, nuccal rigidity (stiff neck), sleepiness, nausea, vomiting, pallor, rash, severe muscle pain, phonophobia (dislike of loud sounds).
Name 3 risk factors for otitis media
What is
•Children under 2
•Participant in group day care
•Hx of seasonal allergies
•Poor air quality – smoking / wood stove
•Bottle feeding laying down or reclining
•Pacifier use several hours / day
•Cleft palate
•Premature birth
•Down syndrome