Asthma
What is asthma?
Chronic disease in which reversible airway obstruction occurs periodically, reducing airflow
What is the most common cause of COPD?
Smoking
What causes tuberculosis and how is it spread?
Bacterial infection (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) spread by airborne route from infected person coughing, sneezing
What lung sounds are typically heard in patients with pneumonia?
Crackles
Collapse of alveoli and/or small passageways of the lungs.
What is atelectasis?
When administering a bronchodilator and a steroid, what order should the medications be administered in?
Bronchodilator, then steroid.
The bronchodilator opens up the airway and lets the following medications penetrate into the lungs more deeply.
What two conditions does COPD include?
Chronic bronchitis - Inflammation of the bronchi
Emphysema - Destruction of lung elastic tissue, leading to hyperinflation of the lung
What are some risk factors for TB?
Close contact with a TB infected person
HIV infection
Compromised immune system
What can cause pneumonia?
Bacterial, viral, or fungal infection
A technique that decreases dyspnea by teaching people to control their oxygenation and ventilation.
What is pursed-lip breathing?
What are some common asthma tirggers?
Dust
Mold
Weather changes
Aspirin, NSAIDs, beta blockers
What are some signs/symptoms of COPD?
Wheezes in inspiration/expiration
Rapid, shallow respirations
Barrel chest
Cyanotic skin
Digital clubbing
What precautions are required when working with a patient with TB?
N95 mask
Negative pressure room
Keep room door closed
What nursing interventions can help prevent pneumonia post-op?
Early ambulation
Incentive spirometry
Coughing and deep breathing
Blood test for TB showing how the patient’s immune system responds to TB bacteria. A positive result indicates infection but does not differentiate between active and latent.
What is QuantiFERON-TB Gold test?
What is a peak flow meter?
Used to monitor and manage asthma symptoms, measures the rate of air that can be forcefully breathed out of the lungs
Measures peak expiratory flow rate
Asthma action plan determines if the patient is in the Green, Yellow, or Red zone and what to do
What is a typical acceptable O2 saturation for someone with COPD?
88-92%
What is used in the treatment of TB?
Combination of antibiotics
Isoniazid
Rifampin
Ethambutol
Pyrazinamide
Drug sensitive TB can be treated in 4-8 months
Drug resistant TB may take 18-24 months or longer
Chest x-ray
CBC
Sputum culture
Medical procedure performed as a diagnostic tool and to alleviate respiratory discomfort by aspirating pleural fluid (effusion) or air (pneumothorax) from the pleural space
What is thoracentesis?
What is status asthmaticus and how is it treated?
Life-threatening acute episode of airway obstruction that does not respond well to typical treatments
IV fluids, systemic bronchodilators, steroids, epinephrine, oxygen, and emergency intubation/tracheostomy placement are treatments
What are some nursing interventions to help manage COPD?
Coughing and deep breathing
Administer oxygen as prescribed
Incentive spirometry
Tripod position for shortness of breath
What makes treatment of TB in infected patients so difficult?
Poor medication adherence
TB treatment requires many drugs to be taken for at least 6 months
Patients may feel better before full course of antibiotics and stop taking them
Side effects of medication, need to abstain from alcohol r/t hepatotoxicity
What is aspiration pneumonia and its risk factors?
When someone inhales food, drink, vomit, saliva, or medication into the lungs instead of swallowing it
Risk factors include dysphagia, impaired gag reflex, oversedation, excessive alcohol/drug use
A severe and life-threatening asthma attack that is unresponsive to standard treatments such as bronchodilators and corticosteroids
What is status asthmaticus?