Diphtheria

Question 1

What is diphtheria?

Answer 1

It is caused by infection with Corynebacterium diphtheriae and may affect the nose, larynx, tonsils, or pharynx

Question 2

What are the risk factors?

Answer 2

include children and adults who are unimmunized or underimmunized, living in crowded or unsanitary living conditions, having a compromised immune system, and traveling to developing countries where diphtheria remains endemic

Question 3

What are the s/s?

Answer 3

• a pseudomembrane forms over the pharynx, uvula, tonsils, and soft palate
• edematous neck and lymphadenopathy develops
• sore throat
• fever
• difficulty breathing and signs of airway obstruction d/t pseudomembrane

Question 4

What are the nursing management/treatments?

Answer 4

Tx:
- antibiotics and antitoxin to encourage sloughing (shedding) of the membrane

Management:
- assess risk factors/ immunization
- assess sore throat and for any formation of pseudomembrane
- culture the membrane for C. Diphtheriae
- bed rest