Asthma
Chronic condition that causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways.
What is asthma?
Nurses should monitor this vital sign closely. It may worsen with respiratory infections.
What is respiratory rate?
The number one risk factor for developing COPD.
What is smoking?
This med should be administered before taking an inhaled corticosteroid.
What is Short-acting beta2-agonist or SABA?
Wheezing is most commonly heard during this phase of respiration.
What is expiration?
Common symptom that sounds like a high-pitched whistling noise during breathing.
What is wheezing?
The hallmark respiratory issue in CF is buildup of this, which leads to infections.
What is thick or sticky mucus?
The two main diseases classified under COPD.
What are chronic bronchitis and emphysema?
Patients should do this after using a corticosteroid inhaler to prevent oral thrush.
What is rinse their mouth?
A nurse hears wheezing in a patient with a history of asthma. The sound is described as this type of pitch and tone.
What is a high-pitched, musical sound?
This is the term for a sudden worsening of asthma symptoms.
What is an asthma attack/exacerbation?
This type of therapy helps loosen and clear mucus from the lungs.
What is chest physiotherapy or CPT?
This breathing technique prolongs exhalation and prevents airway collapse.
What is pursed-lip breathing?
This class of oral medication blocks substances like leukotrienes that cause asthma symptoms.
What are leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs)?
This device is used to measure how well a patient with wheezing can exhale air quickly.
What is a peak flow meter? or PFM
Name three common triggers for asthma.
What is smoking, pollen, dust, exercise, colder air, pet dander?
CF patients take this class of medication to thin mucus.
What are mucolytics
COPD patients often develop this right-sided heart condition due to pulmonary hypertension.
What is cor pulmonale?
This class of medications may be inhaled or taken orally to treat chronic lung infections.
What are antibiotics?
When administering a nebulizer treatment for wheezing, the nurse should monitor for this common side effect.
What is tachycardia or tremors?
Test that measures how well air moves out of the lungs and helps diagnose asthma.
What is spirometry?
This protein is defective in cystic fibrosis and leads to thick mucus.
What is the CFTR protein?
Abnormal shape of the chest often seen in COPD patients due to air trapping over time or hyperinflation.
What is a barrel chest?
This long-acting beta agonist (LABA) should never be used alone in asthma due to increased risk of asthma-related death, but is safe when combined with inhaled corticosteroids.
What is salmeterol?
A patient with severe wheezing shows signs of worsening respiratory distress, such as use of accessory muscles, AMS, and decreased O2 saturation despite O2 therapy, this is the nurse’s most critical next step.
What is call a rapid response or code blue team immediately?