COPD
What are the two subcategories of COPD?
Chronic bronchitis and emphysema
What kind of precautions will this patient be on?
Airborne precautions
What causes empyema?
Recent febrile illness, pulmonary infection and lung abscess related to thoracic surgery or chest trauma
Characterized by an accumulation of what in the pleural space?
Atmospheric air
Characterized by a collection of what in the pleural space?
Fluid
What are the four classes of medications you would administer to the patient and why?
Bronchodilators to open the airway, corticosteroids for exacerbations, mucolytics to thin the secretions, and antibiotics for infection
If the patient needs to leave the room for a test or procedure, what is REQUIRED?
The patient is required to wear a surgical mask
Characterized by the collection of what in the pleural cavity?
Pus that is thick, opaque, and foul-smelling
What are the three types of pneumothorax?
Spontaneous, open, and tension
What assessment findings would you find for this patient?
Sharp pleuritic pain increasing with inspiration, progressive dyspnea, decreased chest wall movement on affected side, dry/nonproductive cough, decreased breath sounds, pleural friction rub, mediastinal shift
What assessment findings would you find for this patient?
Chronic cough, exertional dyspnea, wheezing, crackles in lungs, sputum production, barrel chest, use of accessory muscles, finger clubbing, chest X ray showing congestion and hyperinflation
The risk of transmission is greatly reduced after how long on tuberculosis medication?
2-3 weeks
What position do you want to keep this patient in?
Semi or high Fowler's
How is a pneumothorax diagnosed?
Chest X ray showing air or fluid in the pleural space and reduction of lung volume
What nursing interventions can you implement for this patient?
Monitor breath sounds, encourage coughing and deep breathing, prepare the patient for thoracentesis,
What does the ABG level of uncompensated respiratory acidosis indicate?
COPD exacerbation
What nursing PPE is required?
Particulate respirator (N95), gown, and gloves
What assessment findings would this patient have?
Chest pain, cough, dyspnea, chills, pleural exudate on chest X ray
What assessment findings would the nurse see in this patient?
Absent/diminished breath sounds on affected side, cyanosis, unilateral chest expansion, dyspnea, tracheal deviation to the unaffected side (tension pneumo)
If the patient has recurrent pleural effusions, what are the two procedures the patient may need?
Pleurectomy and pleurodesis
What are the nursing interventions for these patients?
Monitor VS and pulse ox, chest physiotherapy (CPT), encourage breathing techniques, tripod positioning, record color/amount of sputum, encourage fluid intake up to 3000 mL/day
What are the clinical manifestations of TB?
May be asymptomatic in primary infection; fatigue, lethargy, low-grade fever, chills, night sweats, persistent cough lasting up to 3 weeks, blood streaked sputum
What are some nursing interventions for these patients?
Monitor breath sounds, encourage coughing and deep breathing, administer antibiotics as prescribed, assist with thoracentesis or chest tube insertion
What are nursing interventions for this patient?
Administer O2 as prescribed, prepare for chest tube placement, monitor chest tube drainage system
Although this technique is not used often anymore, what would the nurse expect to find when percussing the lung fields?
Dullness over the affected fields