AC3 Final Exam Flashcards
(38 cards)
What’s the priority of any upper respiratory-related things?
Gas exchange and tissue integrity
How is head & neck cancer related to the upper airway?
Close to airway
Quick metastasis to lung or liver
What are some risk factors for head & neck cancer?
Tobacco, alcohol (major)
Voice abuse, chronic laryngitis, chemical or dust exposure, poor oral hygiene, long-term GERD, oral HPV infection
Why might a patient who had surgery to remove cancer in airway be intubated for a little longer post op?
For swelling to go down before extubating. Post op swelling can compromise airway
What are some non-surgical management of airway cancer?
Comfort & increase gas exchange by applying O2
Radiation therapy
Encourage voice rest
Why is neck surgery extensive?
The airway and the carotid artery are near it
Why might NG/PEG tube be indicated for patients who had neck surgery?
They might not be able to swallow post op therefore tube feeds can be indicated
When should you consider trach placement?
> 7 days intubated
Why should you seek medical care quick when you suspect nose fracture?
When scar forms, it’s hard to fix
Can affect airway & gas exchange
Might cause CSF leak
Nursing interventions for nose fracture
Sit them up (semi-fowlers)
Assess for bleeding & edema
Cold compresses for swelling
Avoid valsalva, constipation, sneezing with mouth closed
What does bruising behind the ear indicate (battle sign) and what should you look out for?
Basilar skull fracture
Look out for CSF leak, vision, eye movement, neuro check
And of course, airway
What two equipments should be at bedside when a patient had facial trauma sx and their jaw is wired shut?
Wire cutters
Suction
What are some causes of epistaxis?
Trauma, HTN, bleeding disorder, decreased humidity, tumor, chronic cocaine, NG suctioning
When should you go to the ED for epistaxis?
Still tasting blood after 20 minutes, excessive swallowing, and heavy blood loss
What lung disease causes honeycomb pattern of alveoli in CT?
Pulmonary fibrosis
What causes pulmonary fibrosis?
Long-term exposure to lung irritants
What’s the process of pulmonary fibrosis?
Lung injury -> inflammation -> tissue repair begins -> inflammation continues even after healing -> fibrosis/scarring occurs -> alveoli tissue thickens -> impaired gas exchange
Pulmonary fibrosis has a slow onset, mild dyspnea on exertion, and can lead to severe hypoxemia and increased dyspnea if severe. Will administering O2 help with hypoxemia?
No, because lack of O2 is not the problem here. The problem is impaired gas exchange due to thickened alveoli tissue
What’s the cure for pulmonary fibrosis?
Lung transplant
How is pulmonary fibrosis treated?
Slow fibrosis & manage dyspnea
What are two medications used to manage pulmonary fibrosis?
Corticosteroids to decrease inflammation
Immunosuppressants to decrease inflammatory response
Why is morphine used in pulmonary fibrosis patients?
To help with dyspnea; it provides a little bit of vasodilation so the patient is relaxed. Relaxed = improved oxygenation
What is worse? Small cell lung cancer or non-small cell lung cancer?
Small cell lung cancer because that can secrete hormones including ACTH, ADH, FSH, PH, and insulin
How is lung tumor growth affect airway/gas exchange?
Obstruct bronchus
Compress other areas
