Anatomy and Physiology Epiglottitis is a potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when the epiglottis inflames and swells, causing the airway to become blocked (Mayo Clinic, 2018). The epiglottis is leaf-shape flap of cartilage located in the throat behind the tongue and in front of the larynx. It is made of yellow elastic cartilage tissue, lined with a mucous membrane. The epiglottis is usually resting in the upright position which allows an opening in the trachea for air to pass through (Heller & Zieve 2017). But when a person is eating and swallowing the epiglottis folds over so that the trachea becomes blocked off and that way no food or water enters the trachea and instead goes through the esophagus. The epiglottis is able …show more content…
In a child they will show up very suddenly whereas in adults it will be more gradual in their experiences. When you see a child with epiglottitis they will likely be drooling, leaning in the tripod position in order to open their airway more, staying still and also in distress (Limmer & O’Keefe). A person with epiglottitis will look extremely ill in general. All of the symptoms of epiglottitis include sore throat, changes in the voice, difficulty speaking, fever, difficulty swallowing, tachycardia, and also difficulty breathing (Cunha, 2017). The patient drools because they have difficulty swallowing so all of the saliva ends up building up until it has nowhere else to go but out of the mouth. The sore throat is due to the swelling airway which is very uncomfortable. Often times the patient may have stridor when they breathe in which is an indication of a blockage in the airway, and/or cyanosis because of the lack of oxygen from the inflammation of the …show more content…
This means that there isn’t too many invasive treatment that you can do for the patient. The last thing you want to do is start inspecting the throat because you don’t want to end up making the condition for the patient worse by causing spasm and more obstruction. First and foremost Check for a patent airway, auscultate for lung sounds, and the best thing you can do for the patient is keep them as calm and comfortable as possible by doing whatever it takes to do that. Have the patient stay in a position of comfort usually sitting in a tripod position and avoid placing the patient in a supine position because it can make it harder for them to breathe. Avoid using lights and sirens if justified to alarm the patient as little as possible (Limmer & O’Keefe, 2016). Administer high-concentration oxygen if they patient does not become alarmed by it (Limmer & O’Keefe, 2016). The paramedic can also administer fluids intravenously to hydrate the patient because the patient has difficulties swallowing. Rapid transport to a hospital that can treat this condition is extremely important because the airway can close at any sudden moment and there is only so much that can be done in the ambulance. If Epiglottitis goes untreated up to ten percent of children with the condition may die (Limmer & O’Keele,
1. Nine year old Jerry stumbled into a drug store, which is usually open late with very few attendants, gasping for breath. Blood was oozing from a small hole in his chest wall. When paramedics arrived, they said that Jerry had suffered a pneumothorax and atelectasis. Just what do both these terms mean and how do you explain his respiratory distress? How will it be treated?
It incorporates dietary advising, exercise training, and mental guiding. There are also numerous surgical treatment alternatives. For example, the removal of nasal polyps that block breathing, oxygen treatment to prevent pulmonary hypertension, endoscopy and lavage to suction mucus from airways, the surgical insertion of a feeding tube may be important to convey supplements while sleeping. In cases where life-threatening lung complexities arise, a lung transplant may be viewed as an option.
Based on the subjective symptoms, it appears this patient has bronchitis, a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which is a respiratory disorder. The care plan will focus on intervention to prevent the disease from re-occurring and causing chronic bronchitis. Further assessment will be needed to obtain a baseline, so when the care plan is implemented, then it can be evaluated to measure positive outcome and where alteration will be need in the plan for a great outcome in the patient’s health.
later brings up green and yellow mucus. The cough may persist to 4 to 6
We can infer that the pneumonia presented a sudden onset in hitherto healthy infants (otherwise neonatal staff would have no reason to suspect PVL+ strains).
Liam is a previously healthy boy who has experienced rhinorrhoea, intermittent cough, and poor feeding for the past four days. His positive result of nasopharyngeal aspirate for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) indicates that Liam has acute bronchiolitis which is a viral infection (Glasper & Richardson, 2010). “Bronchiolitis is the commonest reason for admission to hospital in the first 6 months of life. It describes a clinical syndrome of cough tachypnoea, feeding difficulties and inspiratory crackles on chest auscultation” (Fitzgerald, 2011, p.160). Bronchiolitis can cause respiratory distress and desaturation (91% in the room air) to Liam due to airway blockage; therefore the infant appears to have nasal flaring, intercostal and subcostal retractions, and tachypnoea (54 breathes/min) during breathing (Glasper & Richardson, 2010). Tachycardia (152 beats/min) could occur due to hypoxemia and compensatory mechanism for low blood pressure (74/46mmHg) (Fitzgerald, 2011; Glasper & Richardson, 2010). Moreover, Liam has fever and conjunctiva injection which could be a result of infection, as evidenced by high temperature (38.6°C) and bilateral tympanic membra...
The next step is to open the airway. Place two or three fingers under each side of the jaw, at its angle. Lift the jaw upward and outward. If this alone does not open the airway, slightly tilt the child’s head. Check for signs of breathing by using the look, listen, and feel method. Also, check for anything that may be blocking the airway. If something is visible, remove it.
The pharynx is a large cavity behind the mouth and between the nasal cavity and larynx. The pharynx serves, as an air and food passage but cannot be used for both purposes at the same time, otherwise choking would result. The air is also warmed and moistened further as it passes through the pharynx. The larynx is a short passage connecting the pharynx to the trachea and contains vocal chords. The larynx has a rigid wall and is composed mainly of muscle and cartilage, which help prevent collapse and obstruction of the airway.
First aid for generalized seizures involves protecting the individual by clearing the area of sharp or hard objects, providing soft cushioning for the head, such as a pillow or folded jacket and, if necessary, turning the individual on the side to keep his or her airway clear. The individual having a seizure should not be restrained and the mouth should not be forced open. It is not true that a person having a seizure can swallow the tongue. If the individual having the seizure is known to have epilepsy or is wearing epilepsy identification jewelry, an ambulance should only be called if the seizure lasts longer than five minutes, another seizure closely follows the first, or the person cannot be awakened after the jerking movements subside.
Symptoms and signs of possible severe illness (such as unusual lethargy, uncontrolled coughing, irritability, persistent crying, difficult breathing, wheezing, or other unusual signs)- until medical evaluation allows inclusion;
If the rapid strep is negative, ask for a strep culture. If any of these tests are positive, the child needs to be put on antibiotics for strep. If strep is negative, the child should have blood tests for strep. If the child has had or been exposed to an illness with prolonged coughing, then your pediatrician may consider testing for a bacteria called mycoplasma. See the PANDAS Physician Network for more information regarding treatments. If you live outside 90 miles of Stanford, parents should have their pediatrician test for
Nursing Diagnosis I for Patient R.M. is ineffective airway clearance related to retained secretions. This is evidenced by a weak unproductive cough and by both objective and subjective data. Objective data includes diagnosis of pneumonia, functional decline, and dyspnea. Subjective data include the patient’s complaints of feeling short of breath, even with assistance with basic ADLs. This is a crucial nursing diagnosis as pneumonia is a serious condition that is the eighth leading cause of death in the United States and the number one cause of death from infectious diseases (Lemon, & Burke, 2011). It is vital to keep the airway clear of the mucus that may be produced from the inflammatory response of pneumonia. This care plan is increasingly important because of R.M.'s state of functional decline; he is unable to perform ADL and to elicit a strong cough by himself due to his slouched posture. Respiratory infections and in this case, pneumonia, will further impair the airway (Lemon, & Burke, 2011). Because of the combination of pneumonia and R.M's other diagnoses of lifelong asthma, it is imperative that the nursing care plan of ineffective airway clearance be carried out. The first goal of this care plan was to have the patient breathe deeply and cough to remove secretions. It is important that the nurse help the patient deep breathe in an upright position; this is the best position for chest expansion, which promotes expansion and ventilation of all lung fields (Sparks and Taylor, 2011). It is also important the nurse teach the patient an easily performed cough technique and help mobilize the patient with ADL's. This helps the patient learn to cough and clear their airways without fatigue (Sparks a...
...ey may require aggressive treatment, such as continuous fluid drainage and use of mechanical ventilation to help the patient to breathe. Whatever the severity of it, it is important to get medical care as quickly as possible to have the best chance of full recovery.
Have you ever dealt with severe pain and discomfort in your sinuses? Or have you ever had headaches or sore throats but categorized it as merely a migraine or cold? Many people may not know that these are symptoms for Sinusitis, a very common health issue that affects 37 million people a year (Balloon Sinuplasty). Sinusitis is “an inflammation of the mucous lining of the nasal passages and sinuses” (University Maryland Medical Center).). Although sinusitis originates from the nasal passages, there are numerous symptoms that can lead to sinusitis. Sinusitis can begin when one experiences difficulty breathing through the nose, throbbing headaches, and swelling of the area around the eyes and face. In addition, thick green or yellow discharge from the nose or back of the throat is a sign of sinusitis. It is imperative to see an ENT (Ear, Neck, and Throat) doctor if these symptoms occur, particularly after one experiences a cold or allergies. If a doctor is not seen immediately, one can develop serious and long term issues such as swelling around the eyes, skin redness, severe facial pain, sensitivity to light, neck stiffness, feelings of weakness and apathy, and high fever (Pubmed Health). Many people may not realize the severity of sinusitis. There are four types of sinusitis: acute, subacute, chronic, and recurrent. Acute sinusitis lasts up to 4 weeks, subacute sinusitis lasts from 4 to 12 weeks, chronic sinusitis lasts more than 12 weeks but can linger for months and years, and recurrent occurs several times within a year (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases). Although there are home treatments and surgical procedures for Sinusitis, Balloon Sinuplasty is the newest and invasive surgical option that proves to be ...
...o Pneumonia, it causes respiratory failure. The treatment for this would most likely be ventilator breathing for the patient with supplemental oxygen. (Boothby, L. A. (2004)