PN2 Exam #2 Study Guide Graded A+ 2025

ASTHMA • Characterized by exacerbations of acute airway inflammation • Airway obstruction occurs d/t bronchoconstriction, mucous, or inflammation when exposed to a trigger Clinical Manifestations: • High-pitched, wheezing lung sounds • Cough • SOB • Chest tightness • Worsens at night or when triggers are present Medications: • Short Acting= Albuterol, Proventil Ventolin • Long Acting= Serevent • Corticosteroids= Serevent, Advair Education: • Avoid triggers • Stop/avoid smoking • Teach which inhaler is rescue Exacerbation Interventions: • Give short-acting beta agonist • IV corticosteroids depending on severity • O2 via nasal cannula • High-fowler’s position • Calm atmosphere Questions: If a pt. is having an asthma attack, how would you expect it to affect their VS? Page | 1 lOMoAR cPSD| Page | 2 • At first RR increased then decreased as attack progresses • Tachycardia 120 • Decreased BP If you give a pt. Albuterol, what type of side effects would you expect to see? • Increased HR • Tremors What are rescue medications for Asthma? • Short-acting beta agonists (Albuterol) EPITAXIS • Nose bleed – d/t trauma, allergies, drug use • Most frequent ED complaint Interventions & Treatment: • Anterior portion of nose = apply direct pressure for 5-10 while leaning forward • Apply silver nitrate • Apply lidocaine/ep with cotton pledge for 5-10 minutes • Nasal packing for 2-5 days • Educate on prevention – Vaseline, humidifiers COPD Page | 3 lOMoAR cPSD| • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – emphysema & chronic bronchitis • Causes= air pollution, occupation, smoking Primary Symptoms: • Cough • Sputum production • DOE – Dyspnea On Exertion Clinical Manifestations: • Wheezes or crackles heard in lungs • Prolonged expiratory phase • Distant heart sounds • Orthopneic position • Barrel chest • Use of accessory muscles • Weight loss (dyspnea with eating) • Late phase= clubbing to nails, right-sided HF, chronic cyanosis Medications: • Avoid frequent use of cough suppressants (antitussives) because coughing is aprotective mechanism • Limit narcotic use d/t respiratory depression can worsen hypercapnia • Beta-Adrenergic Agonists: Albuterol, formoterol • Anticholinergics: Atrovent, Spiriva • Corticosteroids: short course only • Methylxanthines: Theophylline (limited) Interventions & Education: • Pursed-lipped breathing • Controlled coughing • Controlled O2 therapy (1-2 L) • Low sodium diet Page | 4 lOMoAR cPSD| • Diaphragmic breathing • Conserve energy • Small frequent meals • Increase fluids • BiPAP RAYNAUD’S DISEASE • Bilateral vasospasms; peripheral artery occlusive disease triggered by cold &stress Clinical Manifestations: • Pain & cyanosis followed by redness and pain (when warmed up) • Pain is intermittent, extremities are numb & cold & may have swelling/ulcerations Education: • Stop smoking • Exercise • Control stress • Avoid extreme temperatures ALLERGIC RHINITIS Prevention: Page | 5 lOMoAR cPSD| • Remove carpet • Keep pets out of house or out of bedrooms • Wash linens in hot water • Avoid heat & humidity • Avoid feather pillows • Avoid cigarette smoke Medications: • Fexofenadine (Allegra) = non-drowsy • Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) = non-drowsy • Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) = drowsy CYSTIC FIBROSIS • An inherited, recessive, chronic, progressive, and frequently fatal disease of thebody’s exocrine mucus-producing glands • Primarily affects the respiratory, digestive, and intestinal systems and pancreas • Each parent passes the recessive gene to a child Possible Complications: • Lung abscesses • Chronic bronchitis • Honeycomb lung • Bronchiectasis • Chronic pancreatitis • Malabsorption • Cor pulmonale Clinical Manifestations: • Apical crackles • Frequent infections • Purulent secretions • Productive cough • Wheezing • Dyspnea • Recurrent infections • Bronchiectasis Treatment: lOMoAR cPSD| Page | 6 • Infiltrates • Scarring (CXR) • Increased chest circumference • Hyper-resonance with percussion • Clubbing • Gassiness • Diabetes • Pancreatic insufficiency • Pancreatitis • Meconium ileus • Diarrhea • Abnormal sweat Cl concentratio ns • Infertility • Referral to regional CF center • Focus clearance and reduction of lower airway secretions, prevention & treatmentof respiratory infections, pancreatic enzyme replacement, and adequate PO intake, psychosocial support. • Surgery-lung transplant, long wait-list Interventions: • Pancreatic Enzymes (may need replacement) • Bulky, foul-smelling stools (malabsorption) • Give adequate salt • TF/parenteral nutrition • Daily weight • Iron supplements PNEUMONIA • Acute or chronic infection of one or both lungs caused by bacteria or virus Risk Factors: • Increased age lOMoAR cPSD| Page | 7 • Immunocompromised • Diabetes • CHF • Active malignancies • Chronic diseases (i.e. sickle cell anemia) Clinical Manifestations: • Fever/chills • Productive or dry cough • Tachycardia • Cyanosis • Joint pain/aches • Hypotension Diagnostics: • CBC • Chest x-ray Treatment: • Antibiotics • Possible O2 • Pneumonia vaccine • Rest & fluids • Headache • Mood swings • Anorexia • Pleuritic chest pain • Dyspnea • Crackles in lungs • Incentive spirometer, cough & deep breathing BUERGER’S DISEASE • Occlusive disease mostly in small/medium arteries • Associated with clot formation and fibrosis of vessel wall Cause/Education: • Smoking – especially young male smokers • Stopping smoking will stop disease progression lOMoAR cPSD| Page | 8 Clinical Manifestations: • Thickened nail beds • Intermittent claudication • Cramps in legs after exercise • Blackish ulcerations on the skin • Extreme sensitivity to hot & cold • Pain in digits • Weak/thread peripheral pulses Diagnostics: • Plethysmograph studies of the digits (early stages) • Doppler U/S • Arteriograms – the extent of the disease process ANEMIA • Low hemoglobin (RBC) level • 1st cause = blood loss/hemorrhage • 2nd cause = decreased RBC production d/t malnutrition, renal disease, or bonemarrow suppression • 3rd cause = destruction of RBC/abnormal RBC structure (sickle cellanemia=crescent shaped)