Care of Patients With Disorders of the Lower Respiratory System

These flashcards cover key concepts related to various respiratory system disorders and their nursing management.

What is acute bronchitis?

An extension of an upper respiratory infection involving the trachea, usually viral in origin.

What are the early symptoms of acute bronchitis?

Similar to those of the common cold.

What is the primary treatment for acute bronchitis?

Humidification with warm or cool moist air, cough mixtures, or bronchodilators.

What causes influenza?

An acute, highly infectious disease caused by viral infection (types A, B, and C) spread by respiratory secretions.

What are the common signs and symptoms of influenza?

Headache, fever, chills, sore throat, cough, runny nose, muscle aches.

How is uncomplicated influenza typically managed?

More effectively by nursing intervention than by drugs or other forms of medical treatment.

What is pneumonia characterized by?

Extensive inflammation of the lung with either consolidation of lung tissue or interstitial inflammation.

What are common causes of pneumonia?

Bacteria, viruses, or inhalation of irritating gases.

What occurs during the pathophysiology of pneumonia?

Inflammation of pulmonary tissue, leading to alveoli filling with exudate.

What are typical signs and symptoms of pneumonia?

High fever, chills, cough producing rusty or blood-flecked sputum, sweating, and chest pain.

What is atelectasis?

An incomplete expansion, or collapse, of alveoli.

What causes atelectasis?

Compression of the lungs, decrease in surfactant, or bronchial obstruction.

What are the common fungal lung infections?

Coccidioidomycosis, aspergillus, and histoplasmosis.

What is tuberculosis (TB)?

An infectious disease of the lung characterized by lesions within lung tissue caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

How does TB spread?

By aerosol transmission.

What are some signs and symptoms of active TB?

Cough, low-grade fever, anorexia, fatigue, night sweats, and hemoptysis.

What tests are used for diagnosing TB?

Tuberculin skin testing, Quantiferon-TB gold, chest x-ray, and sputum cultures.

What is the standard treatment for active TB?

At least four drugs for an extended period, including rifampin and isoniazid.

What is directly observed therapy (DOT) for TB?

Visual observation of the ingestion of each required dose of medication.

What role does vitamin D play in TB management?

It helps white blood cells convert into an active form that kills TB bacteria.

What is pleurisy?

An inflammation of the pleura that can be caused by TB, pneumonia, or neoplasm.

What is empyema?

Infected fluid within the pleural cavity, leading to thick and purulent exudate.

What is bronchiectasis?

A chronic respiratory disorder where one or more bronchi are permanently dilated.

What is cystic fibrosis?

A genetic disease leading to excessive mucus production due to exocrine gland dysfunction.

What are restrictive pulmonary disorders?

Conditions caused by decreased elasticity of the lungs or inability of the chest wall to expand.

What characterizes obstructive pulmonary disorders?

Problems with moving air into and out of the lungs due to narrowed air passages.

What is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?

Encompasses emphysema and chronic bronchitis, characterized by airflow limitation.

What are common complications of COPD?

Cor pulmonale, acute respiratory failure, and spontaneous pneumothorax.

What are the key signs of respiratory failure?

Restlessness, agitation, confusion, increased respiratory rate, and cyanosis.

What is the purpose of chest tubes?

To drain air and blood from within the pleural cavity and allow gradual lung re-expansion.

What is the role of mechanical ventilation?

To assist or replace spontaneous breathing in patients with respiratory failure.