Notes on Common Respiratory Diseases and Conditions

- Anaphylaxis
  - A severe, life-threatening allergic reaction that impairs both the respiratory and cardiovascular systems
  - It is caused by an excessive immune response to an allergen
  - To treat, administer 0.3 to 0.5 mg of epinephrine (adults); during anaphylaxis, enlarged blood vessels lead to low blood pressure, and eventually to distributive shock

- Asthma
  - An acute respiratory condition attributed to bronchoconstriction and an overproduction of mucus
  - Episodes can be provoked by exercise, exposure to allergens, or distress
  - Common signs are wheezing upon exhalation, coughing, and absent lung sounds

- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
  - An umbrella term for chronic diseases that block and damage the lower airways and alveoli
  - Nine out of ten cases are of cigarette smokers
  - Signs are chronic coughing or abnormal lung sounds

- Congestive Heart Failure
  - A chronic heart condition that causes edema
  - Heart does not pump blood effectively due to irregularly sized chambers
  - Signs include dyspnea, pedal edema, fatigue, tachycardia, chest pain, and coughing up white or pink foamy mucus

- Croup
  - Inflammation of the pharynx, larynx, and trachea
  - Highly contagious
  - Common in children up to three years of age
  - Signs are stridor and barking cough; usually occurs in the winter

- Cystic Fibrosis
  - A congenital life-threatening disease that impacts breathing and digestion
  - It fills the airway with thick mucus leading to chronic lung infections
  - Most common in children
  - Signs include gastrointestinal problems and breathing symptoms like those of asthma

- Flail Chest
  - A life-threatening condition that occurs when a section of the thorax gets separated from the rest of the thorax; its most notable sign is paradoxical breathing
  - Flail chest is caused by the breakage of at least two consecutive ribs in multiple places; it often happens from a blunt force
  - Mediastinum shifts further with each breath
  - Patients with flail chest should be ventilated with a bag-valve mask and high flow oxygen

- Pneumonia
  - An infection of the lungs characterized by inflammation of the air sacs, which may fill with fluid
  - Signs are flu-like, with shortness of breath, chest pain, dyspnea, coughing with phlegm, and fever and chills

- Pneumothorax
  - A collapsed lung from air in the pleural cavity
  - Usually caused by blunt trauma, but can be spontaneous such as in cases of asthma patients
  - Common symptoms of a pneumothorax are sharp chest pain, shortness of breath, cyanosis, dry coughing, absent or diminished lung sounds, and fatigue

- Pulmonary Edema
  - The buildup of fluid in the lungs
  - Can be caused by CHF, trauma, disease, or toxic inhalation
  - Signs include pedal edema, rales, and difficulty breathing while lying down

- Pulmonary Embolism
  - Obstruction of a pulmonary artery, usually due to a blood clot
  - Symptoms include chest pain, tachypnea, tachycardia, hemoptysis, and sudden cardiac arrest

- Respiratory Syncytial Virus
  - An extremely contagious respiratory virus that causes cold-like symptoms, dehydration, and poor fluid intake
  - Usually not life-threatening, but can be serious for infants and elders

- Hyperventilation Syndrome
  - Rapid breathing associated with distress
  - Try to alleviate stress
  - Never have patient breathe into a paper bag or oxygen mask without oxygen

- Sucking Chest Wound
  - Open chest injury that draws in air during inhalation
  - Should be covered with occlusive dressing to prevent air from entering the chest cavity