Management of Patients with Chest and Lower Respiratory Tract Disorders

A collapse of the lung, either acute or chronic, often caused by blocked airways or poor breathing patterns.

Causes include foreign bodies; tumors; impaired breathing; retained fluids; pain; airway issues; prolonged lying down; or increased abdominal pressure.

Symptoms include increased shortness of breath, coughing, sputum, fast heart rate, rapid breathing, chest pain, and bluish skin.

Assessment includes checking breathing effort, listening to lung sounds, and measuring oxygen levels/blood oxygen.

Preventative measures include turning patients frequently, moving them around, and expanding lung techniques to help manage secretions.

Treatment aims to improve breathing and remove secretions. Methods include: breathing exercises, medications, and other interventions based on severity.

Inflammation of lung tissue caused by various germs (bacteria, fungi, viruses).

A chronic lung infection caused by bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis).

A systematic approach to patient care, including assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation.

Infections in the lungs, caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc.

Pneumonia occurring outside of hospitals or healthcare facilities, or within 48 hours of hospitalization.

Pneumonia occurring in people with recent exposure to healthcare facilities, but not in hospitals.

Pneumonia developing 48 hours or more after hospital admission, not present at admission.

Pneumonia occurring in patients needing mechanical ventilation for at least 48 hours.

Pneumonia caused by substances entering the lungs, often from the mouth or throat.

Criteria used to evaluate the improvement of a patient with pneumonia; includes temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, oral intake, and mental status.

Enterobacter species, Escherichia coli, H. influenzae, Klebsiella species, Proteus, Serratia marcescens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, methicillin-sensitive or resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and S. pneumoniae

Age over 65, alcoholism, recent beta-lactam use, immunosuppression, comorbidities, and day care exposure.

Long-term care facility residents, underlying cardiopulmonary disease, comorbidities, recent antibiotic use.

Structural Lung Disease, Corticosteroid therapy, Broad-spectrum antibiotics, and Malnutrition.

Treatment for viral pneumonia focuses on providing support to the body while it fights off the infection. This includes keeping the patient hydrated, reducing fever with medications, and using treatments like humidified air, antihistamines, and nasal decongestants to help with congestion. Oxygen therapy might also be necessary to ensure proper oxygen levels in the blood.

Serious complications can arise from pneumonia, including septic shock (a severe infection that affects the entire body), respiratory failure (the lungs can't provide enough oxygen to the blood), pleural effusion (fluid buildup around the lungs), and empyema (pus buildup in the chest cavity).

This nursing diagnosis refers to a patient's inability to effectively move mucus and secretions out of their airways, often due to pneumonia. This can lead to difficulty breathing and increased risk of infection.

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which primarily affects the lung tissue.

Tuberculosis is spread through the air, usually when an infected person coughs, sneezes, speaks, or sings. The tiny droplets released can remain suspended in the air for hours.

People at increased risk for tuberculosis include those with weakened immune systems, those living in crowded conditions, those with close contact with someone who has TB, and those who are HIV-positive.

Diagnosing TB involves a combination of tests and procedures. These include: a positive skin test or blood test for TB, a sputum culture for acid-fast bacilli, a complete history focusing on exposure, a physical exam looking for lung abnormalities, and a chest x-ray to visualize the lungs.

The Mantoux test, using purified protein derivative (PPD) of tuberculosis bacteria, is the standard test for TB. The test involves injecting a small amount of PPD under the skin and checking for a raised, hardened area (induration) after 48-72 hours.

The size of the induration determines the significance of the reaction: 0-4mm is not significant, 5mm or greater may be significant for people at risk, and 10mm or greater is considered significant. A positive reaction suggests past exposure to M. tuberculosis or BCG vaccination.

Treatment for tuberculosis requires a combination of antibiotics taken daily for 6-12 months. Multiple-Drug-Resistant (MDR) TB is a major concern, requiring even longer and more complex treatment regimens.