Pulmonary_Conditions for nursing students

Medical

1. Pleurisy/Pleuritis Definition: Pleurisy (Pleuritis) is inflammation of the pleura, causing chest pain and difficulty breathing.

2. Etiology • Viral or bacterial infections • Pulmonary embolism • Autoimmune diseases (e.g., lupus, rheumatoid arthritis) • Lung cancer • Trauma or rib fractures

3. Pathophysiology • Inflammation causes friction between pleural layers. • Fluid accumulation (pleural effusion) may develop. • Pain occurs due to irritated pleural nerves.

4. Signs and Symptoms • Sharp, stabbing chest pain (worse with deep breaths) • Dry cough • Fever and chills (if infection is present) • Shortness of breath

5. Medical Management • NSAIDs (Ibuprofen 400-800 mg PO every 6-8 hours) • Antibiotics (Amoxicillin 500 mg PO TID for bacterial infections) • Corticosteroids (Prednisone 20-40 mg PO daily)

6. Nursing Interventions • Monitor respiratory status and oxygen saturation. • Encourage deep breathing and coughing exercises. • Position patient for comfort (semi-Fowler’s).

7. Surgical Intervention • Thoracentesis for pleural effusion drainage

8. Complications • Pleural effusion • Respiratory distress

9. Prevention • Early treatment of respiratory infections • Smoking cessation • Vaccination (influenza, pneumonia)

10. ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome) Definition: ARDS is a severe lung condition causing widespread inflammation and fluid accumulation in the alveoli, leading to respiratory failure.

11. Etiology • Sepsis • Severe pneumonia • Trauma (e.g., burns, near drowning) • Aspiration of gastric contents

12. Pathophysiology • Inflammatory response damages alveolar-capillary membranes. • Increased permeability leads to pulmonary edema. • Gas exchange is severely impaired, causing hypoxia.

13. Signs and Symptoms • Severe shortness of breath • Cyanosis (bluish skin) • Hypoxemia despite oxygen therapy • Tachypnea and tachycardia

14. Medical Management • Mechanical ventilation (PEEP 5-15 cm H2O) • Oxygen therapy (High-flow or ventilator-assisted) • Corticosteroids (Methylprednisolone 1-2 mg/kg/day IV)

15. Nursing Interventions • Maintain airway and suction secretions as needed. • Monitor ABGs and adjust ventilator settings accordingly. • Position in prone to improve oxygenation.

16. Surgical Intervention • ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) in severe cases

17. Complications • Multi-organ failure • Barotrauma from ventilation

18. Prevention • Prevent and treat infections promptly • Avoid aspiration in high-risk patients • Lung-protective ventilation strategies

19. COVID-19 Definition: COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, leading to mild to severe lung infection.

20. Etiology • SARS-CoV-2 virus transmission through respiratory droplets • Close contact with infected individuals • Surface contamination (less common)

21. Pathophysiology • Virus enters respiratory cells via ACE2 receptors. • Inflammation causes alveolar damage and fluid accumulation. • Severe cases lead to ARDS and multi-organ involvement.

22. Signs and Symptoms • Fever, cough, and sore throat • Shortness of breath in severe cases • Loss of taste and smell • Fatigue and body aches

23. Medical Management • Antiviral drugs (Paxlovid: Nirmatrelvir 300 mg + Ritonavir 100 mg BID for 5 days) • Steroids (Dexamethasone 6 mg IV/PO daily for 10 days) • Oxygen therapy if needed

24. Nursing Interventions • Monitor oxygen levels and provide supplemental oxygen if required. • Encourage hydration and symptomatic relief. • Educate on isolation and hand hygiene.

25. Surgical Intervention • Mechanical ventilation for severe respiratory failure

26. Complications • Pneumonia and ARDS • Blood clots and stroke • Long COVID (persistent symptoms)

27. Prevention • Vaccination and booster doses • Mask-wearing in high-risk settings • Hand hygiene and social distancing