N212 Pathophysiology Exam 1 Study Guide | Questions and Answers | 2026 Update | 100% Correct - Eastwick College.

N212PathophysiologyStudyGuide Exam ct ct ct ct




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FocusPoints:
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Sinusitis
● Etiology
- Sinusitis, often called rhinosinusitis, is an inflammation of the mucous membranes of one or ct ct ct ct ct ct ct ct ct ct ct ct ct




more of the sinuses, usually the maxillary or frontal sinus. Swelling of the mucosa can block the
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drainage of secretions, which can cause a sinus infection.
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- Sinusitis often occurs after rhinitis and can be associated with a deviated nasal septum, nasal ct ct ct ct ct ct ct ct ct ct ct ct ct ct




polyps, inhaledair pollutantsor cocaine,facialtrauma,dentalinfections,or lossof immune
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- Theinfectionisoftencausedby avirus, Streptococcuspneumoniae,Haemophilus
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influenzae, diplococcus, and bacteroides.
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Medications
Nasaldecongestants, such as phenylephrine, are used to reduce swellingof the mucosa.
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Client education
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- Beginover-the-counterdecongestantuse at thefirst manifestationof sinusitis.ct ct ct ct ct ct ct ct ct




- Manifestationsofreboundnasalcongestioncanoccurifdecongestantsareusedfor more than 3 ct ct ct ct ct ct ct ct ct ct ct ct ct ct




to 4 days. ct ct ct




- Broad-spectrumantibiotics,such as amoxicillin,areused on a limited basisfor a ct ct ct ct ct ct ct ct ct ct ct ct




confirmed causative bacterial pathogen.
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- Painrelief medicationsincludeNSAIDs, acetaminophen, and aspirin.
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TherapeuticProcedures ct




- Deviatedseptum repair ct ct




- Surgicalexcisionof nasal polyps ct ct ct ct




● Viralvsbacterialtreatmentsfor sinusitis ct ct ct ct ct




The most common sinusinfection are viral andaccount for ~90% of cases. These viral
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pathogens are often caused by the common cold virus or influenza virus.
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Viralinfectionswilltypicallyresolveon their own and DO NOT need antibiotics.Viral infections
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usually resolve with a few weeks w/o antibiotics.
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Nursing Interventions: ct




Treatthe symptoms with NSAID, Saline or corticosteroid nasal sprays, decongestants, and
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, antihistamines.
Surgerymay be required if sinusitis becomes a chronic condition (greater than 3 months).
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Sinusinfectionscan also becaused by bacterialpathogens,but lesscommon (10% of cases). Usually
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occur due to unresolved viral infections.
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Thebacteriacomes from thenose and throat. Antibioticsmay be need to the infection.
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Most common bacterialpathogen isStepPneumoniae andHemophilus Influenzae Oral
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antibiotics used to treat bacterial sinus infections: Amoxicillin, Doxycycline,
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Levofloxacin.Azithromycin“Z-pack”isoverprescribed andnot general not recommended due ct ct ct ct ct ct ct ct ct ct




to antibiotic resistance.
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Sinusitiscanalso becausedby allergic“allergicsinusitis”andfungalinfectionsalthoughrare. ct ct ct ct ct ct ct ct ct ct ct ct ct




Questions:

1.

Q: A nurse is providing care to a client who reports facial pain, including dental pain inthe upper
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teeth. Which of the following additional symptoms would lead the nurse to suspect sinusitis as the
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source of the pain?
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A:The client hasnasal congestion that doesnot significantly improvewithover-the-counter
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decongestants or antihistamines.
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Explanation: The client has nasal congestion that does not significantly improve with over-the- ct ct ct ct ct ct ct ct ct ct ct ct




counter decongestants or antihistamines: Persistent nasal congestion despite the use of
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decongestantsor antihistaminesisacommon symptomof sinusitis, indicatingthatthe sourceof the
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problem may be inflammation or infection in the sinuses.
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2.
Q: A nurse is caring for a clientdiagnosed with acute rhinosinusitis.
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Whichof thefollowing instructionsshould thenurse provideto the client?Selectallthatapply.
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A.
Apply warm compresses. ct ct




B.
Completeprescribedantibiotics. ct ct




C.
Avoidsmoking. ct




D.