Nursing Care of Patients With Upper Respiratory Tract Disorders

Flashcards covering the key concepts of upper respiratory tract disorders, including epistaxis, deviated septum, sinusitis, sleep apnea, and infectious disorders like viral rhinitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, tonsillitis, influenza, COVID-19, and laryngeal cancer.

Epistaxis

More commonly known as a nosebleed; can originate from the anterior or posterior region of the nose.

Kiesselbach plexus

Group of vessels in the anterior nose where bleeds commonly originate during epistaxis.

Nursing Interventions for Epistaxis

Sit in a chair and lean forward slightly to avoid aspirating or swallowing blood, apply direct pressure for 5-10 minutes, and use ice packs to constrict bleeding vessels.

Nursing Care for Epistaxis

Monitor amount and color of bleeding, vital signs, and hemoglobin level.

Deviated Septum

Off-center nasal septum causing symptoms like a stuffy nose, sinus issues, headaches, and nosebleeds.

Nasoseptoplasty

Surgical procedure to revise or remove the deviated portion of the nasal septum.

Nursing Care After Nasoseptoplasty

Monitor vital signs/bleeding and watch for excessive swallowing, which indicates blood running down the throat.

Sinusitis

Inflammation of the sinus mucosa, either acute or chronic.

Sinusitis: Signs and Symptoms

Pain over affected sinuses, purulent nasal drainage, and potential fever and foul breath.

Nursing Interventions for Sinusitis

Saline irrigation, intranasal corticosteroids, decongestants, warm moist packs, and antibiotics.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

Apnea during sleep, causing transient hypoxemia and loud inhalations.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Signs & Symptoms

Loud snoring, daytime sleepiness, headaches, and memory/attention problems.

Diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Nocturnal polysomnography (sleep study) involving EEG, EKG, EMG, oxygen saturation, and eye movement monitoring.

Treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Avoid alcohol and sedatives, lose weight, quit smoking, and use CPAP or BiPAP machines.

Viral Rhinitis/Common Cold

Inflammation of the nasal mucous membranes, commonly caused by the rhinovirus.

Viral Rhinitis: Signs and Symptoms

Nasal congestion, itching, sneezing, sore throat, and nasal discharge.

Nursing Interventions for Viral Rhinitis

Acetaminophen for discomfort, decongestants for congestion, rest, and fluids; antibiotics are ineffective.

Pharyngitis

Inflammation of the pharynx caused by bacterial or viral infection, with strep throat requiring antibiotic treatment.

Pharyngitis: Signs and Symptoms

Sore throat, dysphagia, red and swollen throat, and potential exudate, fever, chills, and headache.

Pharyngitis: Diagnostic Tests

Rapid streptococcal antigen test or throat culture and sensitivity test.

Nursing Interventions for Pharyngitis

Antibiotics (e.g., penicillin), acetaminophen, throat lozenges, saltwater gargles, increased fluid intake, and rest.

Laryngitis

Inflammation of the larynx (voice box) often following an upper respiratory infection, with hoarseness as the most common symptom.

Nursing Interventions for Laryngitis

Rest, fluids, humidified air, acetaminophen, and antibiotics (if bacterial); avoid speaking.

Tonsillitis/Adenoiditis

Inflammation of the tonsils due to viral or bacterial infection.

Tonsillitis/Adenoiditis: Signs and Symptoms

Sore throat, fever, chills, pain on swallowing, headache, malaise, and myalgia; potential nasal obstruction and bad breath.

Tonsillitis/Adenoiditis: Diagnostic Tests

Throat culture, CBC with differential, and chest x-ray.

Interventions for Tonsillitis/Adenoiditis

Antibiotics (if bacterial), acetaminophen, lozenges, saline gargles; tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy may be considered.

Influenza (Flu) and Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Viral infections easily transmitted via droplets; young, chronically ill, and older adults are at higher risk.

Respiratory Virus Prevention

Yearly flu vaccine for anyone over 6 months and COVID-19 vaccine for those older than 5.

Respiratory Virus Prevention: Measures

Hand hygiene, mask-wearing, avoiding touching face, avoiding infected people, and avoiding crowds.

Flu Symptoms

Fever, chills, myalgia, sore throat, cough, and general malaise, lasting 2-5 days.

COVID-19 Symptoms

Cough, myalgia, headache, and changes in smell or taste; recovery varies from 2 weeks to 3-4 months.

Influenza and COVID-19: Diagnostic Tests

Viral cultures or rapid tests for flu, nasal swabbing for COVID-19.

Interventions for Influenza and COVID-19

Acetaminophen for symptoms, rest, fluids, antibiotics (if secondary bacterial infection), and antiviral agents if given early.

Cancer of the Larynx (Voice Box)

Often primary cancer linked to alcohol and tobacco use, chemical exposure, voice overuse, and HPV.

Cancer of the Larynx: Signs and Symptoms

Persistent hoarseness, throat or ear pain, shortness of breath, chronic cough, difficulty swallowing, and stridor.

Cancer of the Larynx: Diagnostic Tests

Laryngoscopic exam and biopsy, CT scan, and MRI.

Interventions for Cancer of the Larynx

Radiation therapy (early stage), chemotherapy, surgery (partial or total laryngectomy), and radical neck dissection (if spread).