Pneumonia – cause by impaired gas exchange.
Atelectasis Signs - crackles, dyspnea, cough, and changes in
movement of the chest wall.
Common cold – viral infection
Air exchange in the human body takes place in the alveoli
Type II cells produce surfactant
oxygen and carbon dioxide enter and leave the body by what method – diffusion
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by progressive loss of lung compliance
and increasing hypoxia
CF cystic fibrosis - is a hereditary disease. CF results in the accumulation of copious amounts of very
thick secretions in the lungs. Treatment is aimed at maintaining airway patency as much as possible.
CF results in the accumulation of copious amounts of very thick secretions in the lungs. Eventually,
the secretions obstruct the airways, leading to destruction of the lung tissue. Mucous plugs occur in
CF, but it is at the bronchial level, not the alveolar level
acute bronchiectasis- Chronic, irreversible dilation of the bronchi and bronchioles. Patients with
bronchiectasis often have an underlying medical condition that makes them more susceptible to
infections. These underlying medical conditions include immune suppression, which would include
patients who have had organ transplants and are receiving antirejection medication. Other conditions
include acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and chronic inflammatory conditions, such as
rheumatoid arthritis.
Obstructive disorders of the lower respiratory tract include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis, and respiratory distress syndrome (RDS.
Symptoms of patients with pneumonia include fever, difficulty breathing, fatigue, noisy breath
sounds,
and poor oxygenation.
Upper respiratory infections include pharyngitis, sinusitis, and laryngitis.
Decongestants cause local vasoconstriction that decreases blood flow to irritated and dilated
capillaries
of the mucous membranes lining the nasal passages and sinus cavities. This vasoconstriction leads to
a
shrinking of swollen membranes and opens clogged nasal passages promoting drainage of secretions
and improved air flow. The medication must be used on a regular basis to be effective.
An adverse effect that accompanies frequent or prolonged use of topical nasal decongestants is
rebound
congestion, technically called rhinitis medicamentosa.
long-term use of nasal decongestants may lead to Mucosal ulcerations.
Oral decongestants are found in many OTC cold and flu preparations so that care must be taken to
, avoid inadvertent overdose when more than one such drug is used.
Antitussives either work directly on the medullary cough center of the brain or act as a local
anesthetic on the respiratory passages blocking the effectiveness of the stretch receptors that stimulate
a cough reflex. I.e., it suppresses the cough
Expectorants liquefy lower respiratory tract secretions, reducing the viscosity of the secretions and
so making it easier to cough them up.
Mucolytics break down mucus to aid a person in coughing up thick tenacious secretions by
separating cells that hold mucous material together
Nasal steroids require about 2 weeks to reach their full clinical effect so the patient should be
encouraged to use the drug for that length of time before changing drugs or giving
The first-generation antihistamines, including diphenhydramine, dexchlorpheniramine, and
hydroxyzine, are associated with drowsiness.
Loratadine - Claritin is one of the second-generation antihistamines, which have fewer anticholinergic
effects and are less likely to cause drowsiness.
Antihistamine – do not give in patient with history of heart disease. Antihistamines have been
associated with prolongation of the QT interval, which can lead to potentially fatal cardiac
arrhythmias.
Antihistamines should be taken on an empty stomach and the patient should force fluids, not drink less
fluids. The patient may use sugarless candy to help with dry mouth and should increase room
humidity. The patient may experience nausea or anorexia.
Topical decongestants are sympathomimetics, meaning that they imitate the effects of the sympathetic
nervous system to cause vasoconstriction, leading to decreased edema and reduced inflammation of the
nasal membranes. They are available as nasal sprays that are used to relieve the discomfort of nasal
congestion that accompanies the common cold, sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis. Topical nasal steroid
decongestants are used for the treatment of allergic rhinitis and to relieve inflammation after the
removal of nasal polyps.
Adverse effects of guaifenesin are nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, and rash.