Reactive airway disease

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Term

Description

RAD definition

when tissues of the airways react to invasion by an irritant ( viral , bacyerial, allergen or other) with inflammation, edema, mucus production and bronchospasm

characteristics

reversible, usually self limiting, responsive to tx, occur in upper and lower airways

categories

croup syndromes, asthma, bronchiolotis

croup syn

category of UPPER airway illnesses resulting in swelling of the epiglottis and larynx. swelling may EXTEND to the trachea and bronchi, may be VIRAL or Bacterial

viral croups

spasmodic laryngitis( spasmodic sroup), laryngo-tracheitis, and laryngo- trache0-bronchitis (LTB)

Bacterial croups

bacterial tracheitis, eppiglottis

the croup cough;

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classic symptoms of croup syn

inspiratory, stridor, seal-like cough, hoarseness

acute spasmodic croup

LEAST serious , inspiratory stridor at the level of the vocal sords, laryngeal spasm, self limiting but tendency to recur( couple of hrs for several days)

characteristics

age group- 3mo-3yrs, allergic or viral, sudden onset usually at night, usually resolves by am

clinical manifestations

barking metallic cough, hoarseness, AFIBRILE, diminished breath sounds, labored respiration

management

supportive, cold mist, humidity

LARYNGOTRACHEITIS

MOST common, mild to moderate INFLAMMATION, and edema of larynx and trachea, gradual onset, self limiting, VIRAL

Characteristics

age group 3mo-8yrs, usually associated with UPPER resp infection

clinical manifestations

LOW grade fever, hoarse barking cough, sore throat, stridor

management

managed at HOME, oral hydration, OTC analgesics, OTC antipyretics, enery concervation

LARYNGO-TRACHEO-BRONCHITIS

Most SERIOUS viral croup syn, obstructive edema BELOW vocal cords, inflammation and swelling of subglottic tissues, self limited duration approx 1 wk, gradual onset, associated with URI

Clinical manifestaions

low grade fever, inspiratory stridor, hoarsness, croupy cough, sore throat, restless and irritable, may progress to =>severe resp distress, retrations, and cyanosis

may req hospitalization , IV fluics, humidification, medication, oxygen

nursing care focus

assessment of resp status, vital signs, o2 sat, maintenance of patent airway-position, supplemental oxygen, conservation of energy-bed rest, hydration (increased RR increases metabolic fluid expd) and nutrition-maintenance plus replacement, discharge plan