YG, a 32-year-old Hispanic female, presents to the primary care office
with complaints of productive cough. She states that it started 2 to 3
days ago. She reports concomitant low-grade fever and chills in
addition to nasal congestion and discharge. Her daughter, who is 8
months old, recently had an upper respiratory illness. YG is afraid that
she contracted these symptoms from her daughter. At this visit, her
daughter is asymptomatic, and the upper respiratory illness had
resolved.
Physical Examination
Nasal congestion of bilateral nares with yellowish-white nasal
discharge
HEENT assessment otherwise normal
Lungs: Clear bilaterally
1. What are the most common causes of viral upper respiratory illnesses?
The most common cause of is a viral upper respiratory illness would include one of the
following viruses: Rhinovirus, which is the most common, influenza virus, adenovirus,
respiratory syncytial virus, and parainfluenza virus. These are viruses that cause
conditions such as the common cold, influenza, and bronchiolitis.
2. What nonpharmacologic treatment strategies for YG should be addressed today?
Educate YG on getting plenty of rest to help fight off this illness. Drinking plenty of
fluids to stay hydrated. These two are essential to recover from this illness. The
hydration will help thin out the mucus and the rest will allow the body to fight off the
infection. Then the use of a humidifier to help moisten the nasal passages and the
throat, to help comfort the patient. To help avoid irritants like smoke, or dust, which
can exacerbate the symptoms from this illness. Also, an important aspect is to wash
their hands often to prevent against the spread of the virus.
3. What pharmacologic treatment should the clinician recommend for YG?
The best pharmacological treatment would be for symptom management. Antipyretics
such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to help with fever or discomfort. Tamiflu may
help if started early in the illness. When treatment is started within two days of
becoming sick with flu symptoms, antiviral drugs can lessen fever and flu symptoms and
shorten the time you are sick by about one day (cdc, 2022). Decongestants, to help with
nasal congestion, but they may need to use caution with increased blood pressure. Cough
This study source was downloaded by 100000897929959 from CourseHero.com on 04-03-2025 05:36:22 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/248084416/YG-resp-flu-and-cold-docx/
with complaints of productive cough. She states that it started 2 to 3
days ago. She reports concomitant low-grade fever and chills in
addition to nasal congestion and discharge. Her daughter, who is 8
months old, recently had an upper respiratory illness. YG is afraid that
she contracted these symptoms from her daughter. At this visit, her
daughter is asymptomatic, and the upper respiratory illness had
resolved.
Physical Examination
Nasal congestion of bilateral nares with yellowish-white nasal
discharge
HEENT assessment otherwise normal
Lungs: Clear bilaterally
1. What are the most common causes of viral upper respiratory illnesses?
The most common cause of is a viral upper respiratory illness would include one of the
following viruses: Rhinovirus, which is the most common, influenza virus, adenovirus,
respiratory syncytial virus, and parainfluenza virus. These are viruses that cause
conditions such as the common cold, influenza, and bronchiolitis.
2. What nonpharmacologic treatment strategies for YG should be addressed today?
Educate YG on getting plenty of rest to help fight off this illness. Drinking plenty of
fluids to stay hydrated. These two are essential to recover from this illness. The
hydration will help thin out the mucus and the rest will allow the body to fight off the
infection. Then the use of a humidifier to help moisten the nasal passages and the
throat, to help comfort the patient. To help avoid irritants like smoke, or dust, which
can exacerbate the symptoms from this illness. Also, an important aspect is to wash
their hands often to prevent against the spread of the virus.
3. What pharmacologic treatment should the clinician recommend for YG?
The best pharmacological treatment would be for symptom management. Antipyretics
such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to help with fever or discomfort. Tamiflu may
help if started early in the illness. When treatment is started within two days of
becoming sick with flu symptoms, antiviral drugs can lessen fever and flu symptoms and
shorten the time you are sick by about one day (cdc, 2022). Decongestants, to help with
nasal congestion, but they may need to use caution with increased blood pressure. Cough
This study source was downloaded by 100000897929959 from CourseHero.com on 04-03-2025 05:36:22 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/248084416/YG-resp-flu-and-cold-docx/
