Disorders of the lower Respiratory tract

 

COPD- a group of diseases that result in persistent obstruction of bronchial airflow that is not fully reversible. Includes both Chronic Bronchitis and emphysema

 

Risk factors for copd

Smoking

Occupational exposures, pollution, host disorders: alpha1antirypsin def

 

Chronic inflammation witch the body attempts to repair, causing narrowing in the small peripheral airways. Over time this process causes scar tissue and narrows the airway lumen

 

Chronic Bronchitis- blue bloater drive to breath is Low 02 so don’t over oxygenate them.

Exacerbations most common in winter months.

Presence of cough and sputum production for at least 3m0/2 consec years. Cyanosis, dyspnea, rhonchi and or wheezes.

 

COPD- Emphysema- pink puffer. Impaired gas exchange r/t destruction of walls of overdisteneded alveoli No cyanosis at first no right sided symptoms cough sputum, DOE, wt loss

 

 

Complications of COPD

Respiratory Failure

May need incubated, these pt may not seem as sick as they really are.

 

Medical Management

 

Stop inflammation

Prevent progression

Decrease symptoms

Improve activity tolerance/health status

Prevent exacerbations and complications

Reduce mortality

Smoking cessation

Vaccination against flue and pneumonia

Anxiety management

 

 

ACUTE BRONCHITIS

Usually virus,

Treat symptoms and may give bronchodilators

 

ASTHMA chronic inflammatory disease of the airways that causes hyperreponsiveness to mucosal edema, and mucous production.

Symptoms

Cough, chest tightness, wheezing dyspenea

It is largely reversible

Occurs more at night

 

Complications

Status asthmaticus

Respiratory failure

Pneumonia

 

4 levels

1. Mild intermitted- symptoms 2x week, nigh 2x or less/per mo

2. Mild persistent – symptoms grater 2x week and grater then 2x a mo

3. Moderate persistent- daily symptoms and night1x week

4. Sever persistent- continuous symptoms and frequent night

 

SEE DEVELOPMENT OF PATIENT GUIDE LINES PG 593

 

Cystic Fibrosis

Genetic 1 in 31 has gene and don’t know it

Lungs= mucous prodcing glands dilate and hypertrophy leading to mucous plugs of the small airways

In sweat glands there is increased NA and CL content of the sweat

 

S&s

Cough, dyspnea, barrel ches, frequent bulky greasy stools, wt loss, salty taste to skin

 

Lung Cancer

 

Non small cell and small cell cancer

Small cell 25% of all lung cancers

Grow rapidly and spread early

 

Risk factors smoking, second hand smoke, age, radiation exposure, family history

S&S

Can be asymptomatic until late

 

Assessment/diagnosis

No screening for lung cancer

Cxr

Chest ct

 

Management- surgical resection is preferred, radiation chemo

 

Chest trauma Penetrating vs blunt…. If penetrating and item is still in wound leave it there

Tension pneumothorax

1 way air leak that allows rapid accumulation of air b/t the visceral pleura and the parietal pleura

S&S

Resp distress

Asymmetrical chest wall expension, tracheal deviation

JCV

Decreased or absent lung sounds on affected side

Hypotension

Cyanosis

Hyperresonance with percussion

 

Leathal unless air is removed, never clamp CT

 

 

Open Pneumothorax sucking chest wound

Usually result of penetrating trauma

Air flows directly into pleura cavity with each breath

 

Simple pneumothorax, can be iatrogenic

 

Hemothorax- blood in chest cavity

 

Flail chest- associated with mulitpile rib fractures

Av shunting

Crepedious over side

Apply pressure over flaied protion, turn pt onto affected side for transport. Ventialition

 

Rib fracutures, most common blunt chest injury

Treatment analgesics and rest, may splintingg, deep breath turn and cough while splinting.

 

ARDS- acute respiratory distress syndrome 

Don’t respond to normal treatment

High mortality

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