Question | Answer |
APHONIA | impaired ability to use one's voice due to disease or injury to larynx |
APNEA | cessation of breathing |
dysphaGia | difficulties SWALLOWING |
EPISTAXIS | nose bleed / nasal blood vessel hemorrhage |
MEDICAMENTOSA | rebound nasal congestion commonly assoc. w. overuse of OTC nasal decongestants |
NUCHAL RIGIDITY | neck stiffness / inability to bend neck |
RHINITIS | inflammation of nasal mucus membranes
may be: infectious, allergic, or inflammatory in origin
Acute - Chronic |
RHINORRHEA | large amount of nasal drainage |
RHINOSINUSITIS | 'SINUSITIS' inflammation of nares and/or paranasal sinuses |
XEROSTOMIA | DRYNESS of the MOUTH
from a variety of causes |
URI | upper airway infection / Upper Respiratory tract Infection
common cold = most common
average = adult, 2-4/yr |
most common reasons for missing school/work and seeking health care... | URI |
Common INDOOR allergens: | dust mite (feces)
dog/cat dander
cockroach droppings
molds |
Common OUTDOOR allergens: | Tree pollen
Weeds
Grasses
Molds |
URI special condsiderations in ELDERLY: | -more serious w. other conditions
-influenza exacerbates COPD
-use antihistamines cautiously (SE & Rx-Rx)
-Laryngitis common in elderly, 2ndary to GERD |
CRS | CHRONIC RHINOSINUSITIS
chronic sinusitis
(benefit-endoscopic sinus surgery) |
S/S RHINITIS: | rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, sneezing, pruritis of nose, mouth, throat, eyes, ears, headache |
Rx for Rhinitis (allergic/non-allergic)= symptom relief: | Antihistamines
Antihistamine/Decongestant
Corticosteroids
Oral / Nasal spray |
RN Mgt/Care Allergic Rhinitis: | -avoid allergens
-Rx education & read OTC @ Rx-Rx
-Saline spray to sooth membranes
-proper nasal spray admin (p520) |
RN Mgt/Care Infectious Rhinitis: | -same as allergic +
-teach hand hygiene
-encourage yearly flu vaccine |
COMMON NAME FOR VIRAL RHINITIS | COMMON COLD |
3 MOST COMMON TIMES VIRAL RHINITIS EPIDEMICS: | -September / start of school (fall)
-late January (winter)
-late April (spring) |
S/S VIRAL RHINITIS: | -low grade fever
-all symptoms of 'allergies'
-cough
-herpes simplex (cold sores) in some pts |
RN Mgt of Viral Rhinitis: | -fluid intake -rest -prevention of chills -expectorants PRN -warm salt water for throat -NSAID's for pain/fever -antihistamines -teach hand hygiene & breaking infection chain |
ABRS
AVRS | Acute Bacterial RhinoSinusitis
Acute Viral RhinoSinusitis |
Patients with NG or NASOTRACHEAL tubes are at risk for developing... | NG OR NT tubes = risk for
SINUS INFECTION
Remove tube as soon as permitable |
RN mgt of Acute Rhinosinusitis | -promote sinus drainage, humidifier, warm compresses, decongestants
-avoid swimming, diving, air travel
-correct admin of nasal spray
-Rx for pain
-complete antibiotic regimen |
GABHS / GAS
common name... | Strep throat (bacterial/streptococcal) |
most Acute Pharyngitis cause is... | viral: adenovirus, influenza, epstein-barr, herpes simplex |
RSAT = | RAPID STREPTOCOCCAL ANTIGEN TEST |
S/S ACUTE PHARYNGITIS | -Sore throat
-Fiery red pharyngeal membrane
-Swollen tonsils/pillars
-Fever w/o chills
-nausea / vomiting
-headache |
RX for Acute Pharyngitis
Viral / Bacterial | Viral - treat sysmptoms - resolves itself 5-10 days
Bacterial - oral Penicillin V potassium X 5days OR Azithromycin 3-10 days |
RN mgt Acute Pharyngitis | -bed rest while fever
-teach hygiene
-assess for Rash
-warm saline or saltwater gargles
-mouth care
-complete antibiotic therapy
-replace toothbrush |
Trismus | inability to open mouth |
odynophagia | severe sensation of burning squeezing pain while swallowing |
otalgia | pain in the ear |
Peritonsillar Abscess
"quinsy" | most common major suppurative complication of sore throat. May develop after tonsilitis. Can progress to life threatening state. |
s/s peritonsillar abscess | -appears acutely ill
-sore throat, fever, trismus, drooling, dysphagia, otalgia, rancid breath
-purulent tonsil, eyrthema oropharynx |
Med treatment of peritonsillar abscess: | -antibiotics/corticosteroids
-needle aspiration or incision & draining |
RN mgt peritonsillar abscess: | -surgical prep/support
-assists with topical anesthetics
-throat irrigations/ gargles
-encourage cool fluids
-recovery/discharge instructions |
Laryngitis | inflammation of the larynx
assoc. with GERD sometimes
May be viral, bacterial, or occupational |
aphonia | complete loss of voice |
s/s laryngitis | -hoarseness, aphonia, severe cough
-may be sudden onset, worse by cold/wind
-worse in morning or evening
-tickle in throat |
Treatment of laryngitis: | if bacterial = antibiotics
resting voice/throat
eliminating irritants (smoking, etc) |
RN mgt of laryngitis: | -instruct pt to rest voice
-use humidifier
-encourage fluids (expectorant if indicated)
-resolves 7-10 days |
RN intervention to maintain patent airway with URI | -increase fluids = thin mucus
-room vaporizor
-encourage position for drainage |
RN intervention to promote comfort/reduce pain with URI | -encourage analgesics as prescribed
-hot packs relieve congestion & promote drainage
-warm water gargles relieve throat
-promote good hygiene |
Complications of URI: | -Sepsis
-Meningitis
-brain abscess (from severe peritonsillar abscess)
-otitis media & rhinosinusitis |
S/S of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) | -excessive daytime sleepiness
-frequent nocturnal wakening
-insomnia / loud snoring
-morning headaches
-personality changes / irritability
-systemic hypertension
-dysrhythmias / polycythemia / enuresis |
CPAP
BiPAP | CONTINUOUS POSITIVE AIRWAY PRESSURE
BILEVEL POSITIVE AIRWAY PRESSURE |
CPAP is used to prevent... | airway collapse, thereby preventing apnea |
RN mgt of OSA | -educate pt @ condition and risk of untreated OSA
-encourage, eval therapy adherence |
Most common body fracture? | Nasal fracture is the most common facial and body fracture |
Dextrostick 'dipstick' | used to verify leakage of CSF |
1/2 of all head and neck cancers are what type/location? | Larynx cancer / squamous cell carcinoma |