MN553 Upper Respiratory Infection Paper.

Running head: ACUTE UPPER RESPIRATORY INFECTION Acute Upper Respiratory Infection Logan D. Andrews 8/9/18 Advanced Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapeutics MN553 Purdue University Global 1 This study source was downloaded by from CourseH on :09:58 GMT -06:00 ACUTE UPPER RESPIRATORY INFECTION Background Mr. Smith has a 4-year-old child that is complaining of right ear pain, sneezing, mild cough, and a low-grade fever of 100 degrees for the last 72 hours. He has brought his 4-year-old into your office for evaluation. The child is alert, cooperative, and well hydrated. It has been noted that the child has a mildly erythemic throat without exudate, both ears tympanic membrane is mildly pink with good movement and the child’s lungs are clear to auscultation. The child is diagnosed with an acute upper respiratory infection that is more than likely viral in nature. Mr. Smith is requesting an antibiotic for his child because his family is planning a trip out of town starting tomorrow. Viral upper respiratory infections (URIs), are also known as the common cold. A viral upper respiratory infection generally starts with nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, malaise, and a scratchy throat. The nasal drainage may start out thin and clear, then thicken, and then progress to more of a green or yellow color. Most people become symptom-free within 7-10 days from first developing the illness. A viral URI generally requires no treatment as it generally resolves on its own (Woo, 2016). Prescriptive and Non-Prescriptive Communication Plan In-order to provide the highest level of care and treatment for the child and father to adhere too, it is important to provide proper education. Education would be important since the child’s father believes he will need an antibiotic to combat his child’s upper respiratory infection. The father needs to be educated that a viral upper respiratory infection will generally resolve on its own within 7-10 days of onset (Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2018). The father could 2 This study source was downloaded by from CourseH on :09:58 GMT -06:00 ACUTE UPPER RESPIRATORY INFECTION be provided with information from Johns Hopkins Medicine, the CDC, or the Florida Department of health on the common cold and the best course of action that should be taken to adequately treat his child. As far as medications go, over-the-counter medications will suffice. Different nasal decongestants, such as Sudafed, Pediacare, and Afrin will work and so will topical decongestants like Sinex and Afrin Children’s Nose Drops. If an antibiotic is prescribed for a URI that is viral in nature, it will increase the likelihood of a more serious antimicrobial resistance to secondary bacterial infections that could also occur in the upper respiratory tract. The father would need to be educated that he should avoid using cough and cold medications in his child and reassured that it should resolve in 7-10 days (Woo, 2016).